Hyde Sails Under-19 Match Racing Championship - Preview

The Hyde Sails Under-19 Match Racing Championship at WPNSA will be a coached event for youth sailors © RYA / British Keelboat Sailing

Youth sailors from across the country will be competing in the inaugural Hyde Sails Under-19 Match Racing Championship at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy this weekend.

The RYA British Keelboat Sailing coached event will be the first time that many of the participants will have skippered or crewed keelboats or taken part in match racing.

Launched to bridge the gap for youth sailors more familiar with dinghy racing, the sell-out event will see eight teams competing in Elliott 6m keelboats, with the benefit of a player-coach on board, on-the-water support and debriefs from match racing coaches.

Race officer David Campbell-James, who many will know from 29er and international events, said: "It's just a fantastic opportunity for youth sailors to have a go at keelboat racing with great boats, and have an introduction to match racing. I'm looking forward to a really fun weekend."

Entries for teams of three were invited from both novice and more experienced keelboat racers aged 14 to 19 and competitors include sailors from the 29er, 420 and ILCA youth classes.

Among the skippers taking part in their first keelboat match racing event this weekend will be ILCA6/Radial sailor George Colquitt, aged 15, of West Kirby SC, who said: "I decided to enter because it was something different, a bigger boat and I thought it would be fun to be part of a team. I'm really looking forward to seeing friends and knowing we'll have a good time sailing together."

Also helming will be ILCA 4.7 sailor Arwen Fflur, aged 14, of Pwllheli and West Kirby sailing clubs. She said: "I entered because it looks like a fun event to do and it will be good experience and an opportunity to learn new skills. I've never done any keelboat racing before and I've always wanted to try it, so I thought I'd give it a go."

The event is part of the RYA National Match Racing Series and the winning team will qualify for the National Match Racing Championship Grand Final in RS21s at Queen Mary SC in October 2021.

Jack Fenwick, RYA Keelboat Sailing Development Manager, said: "We're excited to see so many teams for our first ever Hyde Sails Under-19 Match Racing Championship. The aim was to make this event as accessible as possible for youth sailors and that's reflected in the fact that entries filled up fast and represent a real mix of ages, clubs and classes. We have some brilliant mentors and coaches lined up to work with the sailors and we're all set for some great racing!"

To find out more about RYA Match Racing and upcoming events, visit www.ryamatchracing.co.uk

The Hyde Sails Under-19 Match Racing Championship at WPNSA will be a coached event for youth sailors - photo © RYA / British Keelboat Sailing