RYA Youth National Championships - Last call for entries

by Matt Carter on 25 Mar 2014 Sailors still to enter the RYA Youth National Championships 2014 are being reminded that they have just under a week remaining to get their entries in for the RYA’s flagship event of 2014.

Competitors have up until Sunday 30 March to submit their entries – due to the size and complexity of the event entries requested after this date will not be accepted.

The UK’s most talented youth sailors across nine sailing classes will battle it out over four course areas within Portland Harbour and in Weymouth Bay between Monday 14 April and Friday 18 April, where they’ll not only have the chance to test their racing skills against top competition but will also have the chance to be crowned RYA Youth National Champion 2014.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy last welcomed the Youth Nationals in 2010. As host to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games sailing competitions, and the annual multi-class Sail for Gold Regatta, it is well used to staging major events and will hope to provide the young sailors with a warm welcome and perfect conditions for them to compete against their peers.

With over 335 sailors already entered for the 2014 edition of what is regarded as Britain’s premier annual youth sail racing event, and with last year’s regatta picking up the Yachts and Yachting event of the year award, organisers are urging sailing’s future Olympic hopefuls to confirm their attendance and submit their on-line entry promptly.

As well as acting as the RYA Youth National Championships, the event doubles up as a selection event for the British Youth Sailing Team set to compete at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships, which this year takes place in in Tavira, Portugal in July. The opportunity to earn selection to the RYA UK Youth Squads and to win a host of international travel grants will also be up for grabs.

John Derbyshire, RYA Racing Manager/ Performance Director, said: 'We are very much looking forward to welcoming the nations brightest and best talent to WPNSA for a great week of competition, not only is the event a high profile multi class selection opportunity it’s also a huge spectacle, great fun and a fantastic showcase for our sport and platform for young sailors, including those new to their youth boats, to develop their skills.

'A host of staff, volunteers and coaches will be on site to help, support and advise sailors and parents. We politely ask that sailors and parents help us to plan and resource the event properly by getting their entries in early, they are assured of a great welcome.'

This year Sarah Gosling, who progressed through the ranks to represent Great Britain twice at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in the Laser Radial and went on to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, will be among the panel of ISAF Youth Worlds selectors at WPNSA.

The sailors will also have the chance to showcase their talents in front of a Royal audience after confirmation that HRH The Princess Royal will be attending the event on Thursday 17 April.

Racing will be held for boys in Laser Standards, girls and boys in Laser Radials and Neil Pryde RS:X 8.5 windsurfers, and for all-boy, all-girl or mixed crews in 420s, 29ers and Spitfire catamarans.

The entry deadline for the 2014 RYA Youth National Championships is up until 23:59hrs on Sunday 30 March 2014.

To enter the event and for further information please visit the RYA Youth National Championships event website.