Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Brothers

2020 Youth National Championships to move to WPNSA in October

by British Sailing Team 22 Aug 2020 12:51 BST 24-27 October 2020
Youth National Championships © RYA / British Youth Sailing / Paul Wyeth

The 2020 Youth National Championships will now be held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy due to current COVID-19 restrictions in Wales.

The event had been due to take place at Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy, but this is not possible under current Welsh Government restrictions despite the encouraging move forward of pilot events in the country announced on Friday 21 Aug.

The RYA had hoped that the Welsh government would announce the easing of the measures enough to hold the premier youth event in north Wales, but with even the smallest amount of uncertainty surrounding number of attendance it was decided that a move offered more time for robust processes and procedures to be put in place.

The Youth Nationals were originally due to be held in April, but the regatta was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To ensure that the 2020 RYA Youth National Championships can go ahead, the decision has been taken to move the regatta to WPNSA. The dates of the regatta - October 24 to 27 - will remain the same.

Racing will take place in the ILCA 6 and 7 singlehanded dinghies (formerly Laser Radial and Laser Standard), and 420 and 29er doublehanded classes.

The Kite Foil, Nacra 15 and windfoiling classes will contest their national youth titles alongside an extended Olympic Classes National Ranker at WPNSA from October 30 to November 1.

WPNSA will put in place its own measures to ensure the safety of competitors, parents, staff and volunteers. The regatta will follow the RYA's guidance on running major events.

Entry for the events at WPNSA will go live at 10am on September 1, on a first-come first served basis. To ensure the regattas remain safe, there will be a limit on the number of boats across all four classes for the first weekend and for the youth classes at the Olympic Ranker event.

Enter the Youth Nationals here and for the Ranker visit here. The closing date for standard entries is September 30. Due to the manual approval process of entries, the RYA website may accept entries after the quotas have been filled. In this circumstance you will be contacted to arrange a refund.

Mark Nicholls, the RYA's Youth Racing Manager, said: "We delayed our decisions in the hope there would be some change in guidance or a definitive indication that we could be in a position to run the event in Wales in October. We recognise this isn't the case and that guidance differs from each Home Countries devolved government.

"Whilst it is disappointing we can't run the event at such a fine venue, we collectively felt it was better to base a decision on current guidance rather than uncertain future advice to give everyone involved enough time to prepare and to ensure a safe event for all.

"Unfortunately, this means that the planned Youth Nationals at Plas Heli will no longer be able to take place as we originally intended. However, we are delighted that WPNSA can host the regatta and that we will be able to offer world class racing to the many young sailors who've so far been deprived of it this year."

With the 2020 Youth Worlds cancelled the Youth Nationals is no longer considered a team selection for that event. However, it is the intention to use the Youth Nationals to begin to consider sailors for selection to Youth Squads. Dependant on sailors ability to attend and showcase their sailing skills, Youth Squads may be selected at the event.

In the event of a rise in COVID-19 cases, the RYA may have to cancel or reduce the size of the event. If this is the case, affected entries will be refunded.

Related Articles

Wilson wins Princess Sofia Trophy
As Brits dominate in Palma Sailors Emma Wilson and Micky Beckett spearheaded a massive nine-medal haul - the best in the event's history - at the LA 2028 cycle curtain raiser. Posted on 7 Apr
Princess Sofia Trophy marks start of LA 2028 cycle
British Sailing Team ready for 54th edition of this prestigious regatta The Princess Sofia Trophy regatta will take place in Palma, Mallorca. This year there are four sites making up the event: Arenal (49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, 470), Ca'n Pastilla (ILCA 6 and 7), Portixol (iQFOiL) and Playa de Palma beach (Formula Kite). Posted on 27 Mar
Medals aplenty in Cadiz
British Sailing Team picked up silverware at the second round of the iQFOiL Games There was a flurry of medals for the British Sailing Team this weekend in the build-up to the Princess Sofia Trophy regatta, the historic season opener. Posted on 17 Mar
Wilson and Watson bring home iQFOiL Games spoils
Gold and bronze for British pair Emma Wilson marked her return to Olympic class racing with a resounding victory at the 2025 season opener, as teammate Islay Watson picked up bronze. Posted on 3 Feb
Emma Wilson launches LA 2028 campaign in Lanzarote
The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on Wednesday The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on the Canary Island of Lanzarote on Wednesday January 29 and concludes on Sunday February 2. Posted on 28 Jan
Ellie Aldridge made MBE in New Year's Honours
Following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at Paris 2024 Ellie Aldridge has been made an MBE in the King's New Year's Honours following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
Aldridge shortlisted for World Sailor of the Year
After becoming the first ever Formula Kite gold medallist in Marseille Team GB's history-making athlete Ellie Aldridge has been shortlisted for the prestigious World Sailor of the Year award. Posted on 21 Oct 2024
Olympian raises £18k by raffling Paris 2024 boat
All the £18,053 raised will go to the Andrew Simpson Foundation Olympic sailor Micky Beckett has raised over £18,000 to help kids get on the water by raffling the boat he raced at Paris 2024. Posted on 14 Oct 2024
Brown and Barton rule the waves in Cagliari
Silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL Europeans It was double delight for Brits Andy Brown and Matt Barton as they scooped silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL European Championships. Posted on 12 Oct 2024
iQFOiL Euros kickstart LA cycle for Brits
GBR windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari The British Sailing Team's windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari, with six female athletes and five male athletes competing. Posted on 3 Oct 2024