Entries are now open online for the RYA Eric Twiname Youth and Junior Team Racing Championship 2012, which are set to descend on Oxford Sailing Club, Farmoor Reservoir, on the weekend of the 20 – 21 October 2012.

This annual event, one of the highlights of the RYA’s Racing calendar, is set to be another popular affair with team racing providing the nation’s young sailors the opportunity to develop their boat handling, rule understanding and team work whilst racing in a fun yet competitive arena.

Last year’s event was full-to-capacity once again with a staggering 288 sailors contesting for the prestige of picking up the RYA Eric Twiname Team Racing Trophy. A maximum of 24 teams consisting of six sailors in both the Junior (under 16) and Youth (under 19) fleets is the maximum entry number.

Team racing is exciting and sociable in which a team of sailors work together to try and establish an overall winning combination. One race typically lasts for about ten minutes but each team usually gets to do between 6 and 16 races during the regatta, with an approximate 250 races scheduled for this weekend. As well as being an exciting form of sailing in its own right, team racing helps to sharpen up many useful fleet racing skills, especially close boat on boat tactics and is also a great transitional step between fleet racing and match racing.

With event organisers having to turn away teams last year due to extreme popularity, the RYA are urging people to get their entries in quick to avoid disappointment.

West Kirby Sailing Club were crowned champions in the U19 Youth class for a staggering fourth year running at last year’s Championships, so with this in mind rival teams will be determined to topple the reigning champions come October. ‘Bluefin’ were crowned 2011 Junior Team Racing champions for the second consecutive year, will the under 16 sailors from Burghfield, Cardiff Bay and Penarth be able to retain the title for a third year running or will there be a new champion in the making?

Teams are invited from the Junior and Youth class associations, zones, clubs, schools and individual teams to race in the two separate events, both hosted by Oxford Sailing Club. The Junior fleet will use Feva’s and the Youth fleet Firefly’s for teams of three boats (all boats are supplied).

To enter the RYA Eric Twiname Youth and Junior Team Racing 2012, Youth entries must be under the age of 19 as of 1st September 2012 whilst Junior team entries must be under the age of 16 as of 1st September 2012. 

The entry deadline for the RYA Eric Twiname Youth and Junior Team Racing 2012 is 24 September 2012 - no entries will be accepted after this date. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis and will only be confirmed once payment has been received.

Online entry is now open at www.ryaracingevents.org.uk.

Matt Carter RYA Skandia Team GBR

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Last Updated ( Monday, 23 July 2012 )