The Race is on - Lockdown Cup Challengers revealed
by Emma Slater 21 Apr 2020 03:30 PDT
1600 BST 22 April 2020
The Lockdown Cup © Virtual Regatta / YachtsandYachting.com
Watch all the action LIVE at 16.00 on Wednesday 22 April
The line-up for the Lockdown Cup has now been revealed as five challengers take on some of the best amateur and full time racers on the British sailing scene.
Selected from hundreds of online entries the five challengers will race head to head against Olympic Champions, National Champions and eSailing experts on the virtual race course in a bid to claim the Lockdown Cup.
Our challengers are:
- Nick Cherry - "I'm only recently hooked on e-sailing but I'm comfortable with both isolation and close quarters action. I'm currently practicing hard in order to deal this bunch of dinghy sailors a virtual schooling in subjects such as starting tactics and trash talking." Fighting talk from Nick!
- Alasdair Ireland - 4th in eSailing UK rankings, 3rd in eSailing Team racing worlds, 16th eSailing Match Racing cup 2019. Hosted multiple eSailing events - including the Scottish eSailing Team racing champs. "These pro sailors are safer on the real water..." Definitely one to watch or watch out for!
- Pete Chambers - "Sailing is the best sport in the world. I've been a sailor since I was 8 starting in miracles winning three youth and juniors on the run. I then traversed into lots of other classes; GP14s, Enterprises, 420s, 470s etc. and I was a part of the Winsford Flash SC 24hr race winning team. I'm currently in a VR series with my mates from Southport Sailing Club and thoroughly enjoying it." Will Pete have what it takes to claim the Cup?
- Donnie Gillies - Reigning eSailing national champion, and currently leading this year's eSailing national rankings. Donnie is definitely someone to watch out for. "I finished top UK boat in the 2018 and 2019 eSailing world qualifiers. I've raced against Adam McGovern at the GP14 Nationals in Largs in 2013 where it was suggested that I must be a heavy weather specialist, and it wasn't because I was supremely fit! Luckily weight and fitness don't factor in eSailing?"
- Max Tait - Max races RS Teras and absolutely loves it. "I represented England in the worlds twice coming 15th overall in Sweden I've competed in many nationals and regionals and I'm currently in the UK RS Tera squad. I'm having a great time with the virtual regatta and been playing it for over a year now and ranking higher each day. I've used all my pocket money on it and I'm now doing jobs at home for virtual credits. I can't wait to show the AC and Olympic sailors what a skinny 12 year old can do on the race course, so please get me out there!" Will youth be the winning factor in the Lockdown Cup?
Our challengers will face the top five racers from Round One which took place last week, including:
- Adam McGovern - The RYA's Virtual Regatta expert which was highlighted by his win at the Demo Event and a win in Round One. Has he got what it takes to go on and claim overall victory?
- Ben Saxton - Multiple national champion, Endeavour winner and British Sailing Team Olympic sailor, Ben Saxton, needs little introduction. He flew up the leader board in Round One to claim 2nd place by finishing with two bullets. Will he continue his winning streak?
- Luke Patience - British Sailing Team, Olympic 470 silver medallist, Luke took third place in Round One. Always up there battling for the lead Luke will undoubtedly be looking to clinch the winners spot and add the Lockdown Cup to his long list of sailing achievements.
- Dave Hivey - Well known within the RS, Laser, Musto Skiff and Moth fleets. Rumour has it, he's been practicing daily since the schools were closed. Will he do better than his fourth place in Round One and make the podium?
- Nick Craig - Fifth in Round One, Nick is National champion in more classes than we could possibly mention. He will undoubtedly be looking to climb the leader board and stake a claim to the Cup.
As well as the title of Lockdown Cup Champion the winner will receive a LPX Gore-Tex® Jacket courtesy of Musto, official clothing supplier to the British Sailing Team.
"With such an experienced field, this is undoubtedly going to be very close and full of action. We would like to thank everyone who applied to become a challenger; it was a really difficult job to choose just five people to take on the other finalists. We were, however, disappointed to not see more applications from females and we will be reviewing this going forward to ensure we provide another opportunity for more women to get involved", commented Alistair Dickson, RYA Director of Sport Development.
The Lockdown Cup will stream LIVE at 16.00 on Wednesday 22 April on the YachtsandYachting.com YouTube channel. Who will you be cheering on? Follow all the action as it unfolds at www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnzkEc5O0LU or on the YachtsandYachting.com and Sail-World.com homepages.
Find out more about eSailing with Virtual Regatta at www.rya.org.uk/go/esailing
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