Rooster RS200 Youth Championship at Itchenor this weekend
by Hannah Liptrot 5 Sep 2020 01:10 NZST
5-6 September 2020
Rooster at the RS Games in 2018 © Brian Gale
It's a (socially distanced) full house with 43 U25 teams set to contest the Rooster RS200 Youth Championships at Itchenor Sailing Club this weekend.
With a moderate forecast and a full house of championship-starved sailors, the event promises to deliver the close, precise and tactical racing for which the class is renowned.
As usual the RS200 field includes a good showing of top sailors from other classes as well as RS200 specialists.
Look out for GBR pathway sailor Morgan Peach, Finn and International 14 competitor Jock Calvert and U16 sailor Sam Grayton who has featured as a champion in the ultra-competitive Topper Fleet.
Of the RS200 regulars; last seasons' Youth Champs runner up Will Taylor will be keen to go one better, but will face some stiff competition from the likes of Tom Darling, 6th in the 2019 National Championships.
Itchenor Sailing Club and the RS Class Association are delighted that this event can go ahead and have worked hard to make sure that the championships complies with current COVID 19 rules and guidelines.
The event will feature socially distanced rigging and launching, with some boats arriving on the race course from the nearby Hayling Island Sailing Club. Race briefings and prize-givings will also be conducted with social-distancing.
The event prizes will be provided by championship sponsors, Rooster.