UK YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BECKONS FOR ATHERTON

Daniel Atherton, from Cowes, will be going for gold when he competes at the upcoming RYA Youth National Championships next week (2nd-8th April) with teammate Matt Viney. The 17-year old will take to the water in the 420 class, to race against the best in British Youth Sailing. Nearly 380 young sailors from across the United Kingdom are set to converge on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales for the premier competition in the youth sailing calendar which, for some, may yet provide a springboard into a future Olympic campaign. The new Welsh National Sailing Academy, Plas Heli will play host to the 2016 RYA Youth National Championships. Atherton has already made steps towards his Olympic sailing, competing at the EUROSAF Youth European Championships last summer. This year’s Youths are once again a selection event for summer internationals. Daniel said: “This event is very important to us, as it is the largest British Youth Sailing event of the year, and decides on teams for Worlds and Europeans, which will in turn select the Youth Worlds team later this year. “Our main competition in the fleet will most probably be James Clemetson and Will Birch-Tomlinson along with Robbie King and Marcus Tressler. In order to beat them, we must make sure we sail consistently, minimise our mistakes and make sure we are better prepared.” Atherton and Viney currently lead the 420 World and European Selection Series, with the Youth Nationals being the final stage in the three process selection series, this will give them a small boost on the opening day: Daniel concluded: “We just need to keep putting in consistent results, getting the processes right, controlling the controllables and remaining calm”. The Youth Nationals is regarded as one of the premier competitions in the youth sailing calendar and Britain’s brightest young sailing talents will be vying for medals and, alongside the accolade of being crowned Youth National Champion, they will also be battling for selection to compete for Great Britain on the international stage. The event plays an important role in the selection process for the 2016 EUROSAF Youth European Championships taking place in Austria in August and the Youth World Sailing Championships in December. The RYA Youth Nationals regatta has been a proven talent indicator for sailors who are likely to progress towards Olympic success. Previous winners of the competition include multiple Olympic gold medallists Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy and Sarah Ayton. RYA Youth Racing Manager Mark Nicholls said: “We’re looking forward to what I’m sure will be another great RYA Youth Nationals, and using the new facilities at the Welsh National Sailing Academy.” “The Youth Nationals sees not only high class competition from our top sailors vying for Championship honours and squad selections, but it’s also a great platform for young talents making their first steps into the youth boats to see what the competition is all about.” Great Britain’s top youth sailors will also have the chance to show off their talents in front of a Royal audience after confirmation that HRH The Princess Royal will be attending the 2016 RYA Youth National Championships on 8 April. Event registration and equipment inspection opens on Saturday 2 April and racing starts for all classes on Monday 4 April through to Friday 8 April at Welsh National Sailing Academy, Plas Heli.