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A win for Megan Pascoe in the RYA Sailability eSailing Multiclass Regatta final

by Susie NationGrainger, RYA 4 Aug 2020 10:22 PDT 1 August 2020
Megan Pascoe wins the Frensham Pond 2.4mR Open © Tony Machen

It was a win for Megan Pascoe from Frensham Pond Sailability when she sailed her way to victory in the RYA Sailability eSailing Multiclass Regatta final this Saturday (01 August 2020.)

Competing against 14 other finalists from Sailability groups across the UK and oversees, Megan battled it out in a series of live races on virtual waters to be named champion in the very last race.

Current 2.4mR World Champion, Megan said: "I have an advantage as all I have to do is stop my right hand pressing the wrong button. It wasn't easy to qualify but Frensham managed five boats in the final. It's funny how any type of competition turns on my competitive edge and it was probably good I was confined to my house as I might have got a little over excited!

"The virtual game is very hard to be consistent especially because everyone goes the same speed, so one bad shift and that's it. It was great fun in a really competitive fleet. I wish all the Sailability groups luck for getting back on the water in these difficult times and I'm sure Multiclass will come back better and stronger next year".

With live commentary from RYA Sailability Manager Joff McGill, racing was extremely tight throughout the competition with finalists including Rory McKinna (Clyde Cruising Club) ranked 9th the world in the Hansa 303 and Justin Smith (Tynemouth Sailing Club) often seen racing on the GP14 circuit and a committed volunteer with GBR Blind Sailing.

Joff said: "Following the three qualifying events with over 40 entrants, we ended up with a really exciting line up for the final resulting in some very close racing. There were a number of our competitors who could have won the title so a huge congratulations to Megan. She's used to people chasing her on the water but now also online!

"Despite not being able to run the event as planned at Rutland, it was great to see so many groups taking part with Sailability sailors and volunteers getting together and having so much fun online. We look forward to being back together for the event in 2021."

The results

1st - Megan Pascoe, Frensham Pond Sailability
2nd - Edmund Clarke, Ullswater YC
3rd - David Durston, Whitefriars Sailability
4th - Richard Codling, Woolverstone Project
5th - Alex Hovden, Papercourt SC
6th - Paul Holzherr, Sussex YC
7th - Rory McKinna, Clyde Cruising Club
8th - Paul Phillips, Frensham Pond Sailability
9th - Justin Smith, Tynemouth SC/GBR Blind Sailing
10th - Andrew Beharrell, Woolverstone Project
11th - James Woosnam, Frensham Pond Sailability
12th - Kate Whyatt, Frensham Pond Sailability
13th - Judith Riggs, Frensham Pond Sailability
14th - Robert Boyd, Dart Sailability
15th - Tom Oliver, Whitstable YC

Don't worry if you missed all the action, you can watch it back on the RYA Sailability Facebook page.

Save the date!
The 2021 RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta will take place at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) over the weekend of 11-13 June 2021.

To find out more about sailing opportunities for disabled people, or those that need specific support to get on-the-water visit rya.org.uk/sailability

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