GBR Optimist Team Selection Trials this weekend at the WPNSA

Optimist sailors are returning to Weymouth this weekend for their Selection Trials © Paula Irish

The GBR Optimist Team Selection Trials will take place this weekend at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

This invitational only event will see 81 sailors battling it out on the start line for a coveted place in one of four international teams, including for the Optimist World Championships taking place in Cyprus from 27 August to 6 September, 2018.

The Optimist Worlds comprise two 'championships': the Optimist Individual World Championship and the Optimist Team Racing World Championship. Each member country is invited to send their most skilled Optimist sailors, usually up to five, to race as national representatives.

Team places are also being selected for the Optimist European Championships in Scheveningen, Netherlands - in the same waters and at the same time as the finish of the Volvo Ocean Race - and for Nieuwpoort Week, Belgium. For the first time, the class association IOCA UK is also sending a team to the US Optimist National Championships, to be held in Pensacola, Florida, in July.

Sharon Davidson-Guild, Chair of IOCA UK, said: "Selection Trials is a nerve-racking but exciting event to attend and team places are highly competitive. All sailors have worked really hard and should be proud of their achievements this year. We would like to congratulate each and every one of them on a well-earned place on the start line and wish them the best of luck."

She added: "This year, we are also excited to be partnering with sponsors, xtremity.net and Marlow Ropes, and we are very grateful for their support of the Optimist class and Selection Trials 2018."

The four-day event takes place from 4-7 May 2018 with teams announced on Monday 7 May.

For further information visit www.optimist.org.uk