Please select your home edition
Edition

RYA announces 2020 Youth National Championships postponement

by British Sailing Team 18 Mar 2020 03:05 HKT 3-10 April 2020
The annual RYA Youth National Championships © Marc Turner / RYA

Following the latest Government advice regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 RYA Youth National Championships is postponed. The prestigious regatta, the UK's premier youth racing event, was due to take place from April 3 to 10 in Pwllheli, north Wales.

Around 750 young people and adults from all over the UK were expected to be on site at Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre. However, last night the Government advised against mass gatherings, to minimise social contact and avoid non-essential travel to curb the spread of the virus.

In light of this all non-essential RYA Racing activity has been suspended until April 30 in the first instance when the situation will be reviewed.

It will be the first time since the Youth Nationals began in 1978 that the event has not taken place as planned.

Refunds will be issued automatically for all competitors. Please contact racing.events@rya.org.uk if you have not received a refund by April 3.

The RYA's intention will be to run the event later in the year and we will now work with the youth classes to deliver a new plan. More details on this will be announced in due course.

Regarding summer team selection, RYA selectors will continue to review all sailors' performances to date and if required this information can be used to inform their decisions.

Mark Nicholls, RYA Youth Racing Manager, said: "No-one wants to have to cancel sports events, especially when they are as loved as the Youth Nationals is, but these are extraordinary times and we must follow Government guidance.

"The threat of coronavirus is a serious one and it is our duty to do all in our power to limit its spread and protect the health of our sailors, volunteers, race officials and staff.

"We appreciate this will be disappointing news for everyone who had been looking forward to another great Youth National Championships.

"We will be working hard on plans to stage the Youth Nationals later in the year, and will release further details once the picture is clearer."

Stephen Tudor, chairman of Plas Heli, added: "Everyone at Plas Heli, The Welsh National Sailing Academy and Event Centre, RYA Cymru Wales and Gwynedd Council is extremely disappointed that this prestigious event has been postponed, but all agree and respect the decision taken in what are extremely difficult times. We fully appreciate the need to keep everyone safe. We will be working closely with RYA to explore all options going forward."

As per the RYA suspension of activity, the Junior Easter Camp due to take place at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy from April 17 to 19 is cancelled.

Refunds will be issued automatically by April 3. Please contact if you have not received a refund by this time.

With regards to the Eric Twiname Championships due to be hosted at Rutland Sailing Club from May 8 to 10, we are continuing to monitor developments and will make a decision closer to the event.

Find the latest guidance from the RYA here.

Related Articles

PredictWind to show new race tracker in August
The Ocean Race joins with PredictWind as Official Tracking and Weather Services Supplier The Ocean Race, often described as the toughest test of a team in sport and widely recognised as a leader in impactful ocean health initiatives, and PredictWind, a global leader in marine weather forecasting, are collaborating on a new race tracker. Posted today at 7:48 am
2025 Transat Café L'OR is packed with surprises
73 boats sailed by 146 co-skippers will set sail on October 26th 73 boats sailed by 146 co-skippers will set sail on October 26th on the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandy. Posted today at 7:20 am
The Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue is back at sea
Peter Burling joining the team for the Rolex Fastnet Race After a refit that began in March, the Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue was relaunched this Thursday, July 3. Lined up for the months ahead is an exciting race programme, culminating this year with the Transat Café L'Or in October. Posted today at 5:14 am
Transpac's Middle fleet sets off for Diamond Head
Seventeen boats begin the 2,225-mile Pacific Crossing in light air conditions Seventeen boats begin the 2,225-mile Pacific Crossing in light air conditions in Transpac's second start. Posted today at 2:39 am
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D4
High stakes for semi-finalists as the final four teams in each division are locked in The third day of racing at GKSS Match Cup Sweden saw the completion of the quarter-final match-ups in both the Open and Women's class, locking in the final four teams in each division for Friday's semi-finals. Posted on 3 Jul
2025 29er Europeans at Lake Garda Day 1
Five teams tied at the top Ikke Huber / Liam Berger (Switzerland) lead the charge after sweeping all 3 races in the Green fleet — an impressive perfect score of 2 points. Lucas & Moritz Hamm, the dynamic twin duo from Germany, matched their Swiss rivals with consistency and pace. Posted on 3 Jul
Onboard reporters in the Course des Caps
Enjoying the challenge of bringing the race to life In the Course des Caps - Boulogne sur Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, the Onboard Reporters, or OBRs, are back doing a wonderful job of bringing IMOCA racing to life with pictures, videos, interviews and reports from the boats. Posted on 3 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 2
Consistent American Magic Quantum Racing move clear ahead American Magic Quantum Racing stepped three points clear at the top of the 2025 Rolex TP52 World Championship leaderboard today in Cascais, Portugal on the strength of a first and third from two breezy races. Posted on 3 Jul
Unforgettable Transatlantic Race 2025 finish
First to arrive was Ocean Fifty Calamity, co-skippered by Timo Tavio and Kimo Nordström. It was rush hour in Cowes on Day 15 of the west-to-east Transatlantic Race 2025, as boats crossed the finish line in Cowes within minutes of each other after an epic 3,000-mile battle for top honors in IRC 1. Posted on 3 Jul
iQFOiL World Championships set to open in Aarhus
Olympic medalists and world-class riders gather in Denmark for the biggest iQFOiL event of the year. The stage is set in Aarhus for a spectacular week of high-speed sailing as the iQFOiL World Championships 2025 kick off on 4 July, bringing together over 200 of the world's best windsurfers from more than 40 nations. Posted on 3 Jul