Britain's best sailors sought for Mixed Double-handed Offshore European Championship
by Will Carson 8 Aug 2019 05:57 BST
8-11 October 2019
2019 EUROSAF Mixed Offshore European Championship © RYA
The hunt is on for sailors to represent Great Britain at the 2019 EUROSAF Mixed Offshore European Championship being held in Italy in October.
The RYA is welcoming applications from British two-person, mixed-gender teams to take part in the event, which consists of a short in-port race followed by a 48-hour offshore race from Venice to Trieste.
Racing will take place in identical 30ft L30 yachts, recently chosen as the supplied equipment for World Sailing's Offshore World Championship starting next year.
It comes after mixed, double-handed offshore sailing was selected as an event for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2019 EUROSAF Mixed Offshore European Championship is being run by the Nastro Rosa series in conjunction with the L30 class.
The in-port race will be held in Venice on October 8, with the offshore racing taking place from October 9 to 11.
Each nation will be allowed one entry. Those interested in representing Great Britain in the regatta will be expected to demonstrate the following:
- International offshore sailing experience / success
- Availability October 7 to 11 in Venice and for any qualification under NOR 4.5 (if required)
- Certificate of competence (RYA Yachtmaster)
- Valid Sea Survival and VHF Certificates
The RYA is looking to select a team who best demonstrate the potential to represent Great Britain successfully and accelerate learning of this new event format and the L30 class.
All applications will be evaluated by a three-person selection panel comprising Stacey Clark (RYA representative on the World Sailing Offshore and Oceanic Committee), Jack Fenwick (RYA Keelboat Manager) and Ian Walker (RYA Director of Racing).
The RYA will pay the €500 entry fee, but competitors will be expected to pay the charter fee and any boat delivery or shore team costs plus their own logistical costs including return travel, accommodation, subsistence and damage deposit.
The L30 fleet will be available for training one week before the regatta.
"This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative, new format that that is planned to be an Olympic event at Paris 2024," said Walker, a two-time Olympic silver medallist and Volvo Ocean Race winner.
"We encourage any two-person, mixed gender British sailing teams who think they meet the criteria to apply for this ground-breaking race."
Candidates are invited to apply in writing, including sailing resumes and an outline of future sailing aspirations, by email to . The deadline for applications is 1200 on Monday August 19, 2019.
More information about the regatta can be found here.