Sign up for the RYA U25 Para Sailing Camps

 Following World Sailing's announcement that the U25 Para World Championships will debut in the Netherlands this summer, the RYA is offering young disabled sailors the chance to attend four development and selection camps.

The events will be held at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and are aimed at U25 para sailors who want to develop their sailing performance. They will focus on the skills needed to sail and race at major events including:

starting

boat speed

boat handling

strategy, tactics and decision making

team work and communication

preparation for a big event

The camps will take place on 21-22 May, 4-5 June, 25-26 June and 2-3 July. Sailors will be asked if they want to be considered for selection for the U25 Para World Championships, a team will be selected, and further opportunities identified for all those who sign up.

RYA CEO, Sara Sutcliffe, said: "The RYA is committed to growing and developing para sailing and we're looking forward to developing and selecting a team for the U25 Para World Championship. It's really important to grow the number of young people sailing and racing so we'll look to work with a group of young people from May to July, select a team, and map out other opportunities for them beyond the U25 para world championship.

"We'll also continue to support World Sailing as they seek to develop a long-term sustainable structure for para sailing".

Visit the RYA Para Sailing Hub to access a network offering support and racing opportunities for disabled people in the UK.

Entry open for 25th Abersoch Mirror Week

 Abersoch Mirror Week 2022 takes place between Monday 15th and Friday 19th August South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club. The Notice of Race and online entry are now available on the SCYC website.

We are pleased to confirm that the race start times will be 11am each morning with two races sailed on inshore courses. Crew swaps are allowed so all the family can be involved.

A fun social programme is in the planning stage, but the very popular "Mirror Drive" will be taking place on the Thursday evening in The Cove. Beach games and barbecue plus a junior Karaoke are likely to feature as well.

The event has been running for 25 years and there will be special prizes for wooden gaff-rigged boats and it is also hoped that some of the entrants from 1997 will be racing with their own children this year.

So if you want a fun filled Mirror sailing week but with plenty of beach time as well come along to Abersoch in August.

Find out more at scyc.co.uk/event/mirror-week

Solent Sunbeam Chisholm Weekend at Itchenor Sailing Club

 The May Bank Holiday Weekend saw 19 Solent Sunbeams on the water for the fleet's first major event of the year at Itchenor Sailing Club. The weekend is always one of the best-attended events in the Solent Sunbeam Class and this year the fleet enjoyed light winds.

The Chisholm weekend comprises four races on Chichester Harbour, competing for the Chisholm Weekend Trophy in honour of Sir Henry Chisholm. He was instrumental not only in growing the class at Itchenor in the 1960s and 1970s but also in restoring many boats and thus arguably rescuing the fleet from oblivion.

Overall Results:

1. V26 Danny - Roger Wickens & Tim Martell

2. V61 Betty - Peter Taylor & Robin Richardson

3. V41 Fleury - Joe & Cathy Burnie

To find out more please visit solentsunbeam.co.uk

Sunshine Racing at the Royal Southern Yacht Club North Sails May Regatta

 The Royal Southern Yacht Club's 2022 Summer Series is off and running with the North Sails May Regatta held 7-8 May on The Solent. The race management team, led by Principal Race Officer Peter Bateson and Race Officer Peter Saxton, provided 60 teams with great racing in seven different classes.

Black Group had six races, on a mixture of windward-leeward and tight round the cans courses. While White Group had ten short, sharp windward leeward races.

North Sails May Regatta Class Winners: Twenty (SB20), Eat Sleep J Repeat (J/70 Open), Powder Monkey (J/70 Corinthian), Gweilo (HP30), Jagerbomb (J/111), Sailplane 3 (IRC 1), Happy Daize (IRC 2), Banter (IRC 3).

Barnt Green Waters showcases facilities with open day

 The sailing club is one of the premier sailing clubs in the West Midlands and membership is open to all categories. 

Gordon Padmore of Barnt Green Sailing Club said: "We feel sure that whether you are an experienced sailor, or a newcomer to the sport, you will gain a great deal should you decide to join us.

"Much of our activity is centered on racing but we also encourage informal sailing outside the racing programme.

“You are not limited to just dinghy sailing at the Club, as we also have a sailboarding section, an expanding paddleboarding group and a small team of canoeists and kayakers.”

The opening day is Saturday, May 14 from 11 am to 4 pm.

Shropshire Sailing Club launches open day

 A SAILING club based on the outskirts of Ellesmere is set to hold an open day to show people what they offer later this month.

Shropshire Sailing Club is holding the open day on Saturday, May 21 from 11am until 4pm at Whitemere, off the A528, where people will be able to have the chance to learn all about sailing.

A club spokesman said they were hoping to see good numbers for the event, and urged them to keep an eye on their social channels.

"Do you want to try sailing?

"Shropshire Sailing Club is holding an Open Day on Saturday, May 21.

We will have boats and experienced sailors all day, subject to the weather, to take you through the basics or just chat to our club's officers about training courses.

"A great opportunity to have a free sail with one of our experienced members and would be great to see as many of you there as possible."

For more head, to @sailshropshire on Facebook

Kip Marina ready for regatta to start sailing season

 THE Scottish sailing season will kick off in Inverkip later this month as the Kip Regatta returns.

The competition is the first 'major' of the Scottish racing calendar and will be held at the Kip Marina over the weekend of May 14-15.

A Saturday night 'shore party' will take place in The Chartroom at the Marina, followed by a full breakfast service on the Sunday morning and a prizegiving ceremony at night.

The Wilson Trophy returns to the Marine Lake

 West Kirby Sailing Club is hosting the 73rd Blueoak Wilson Trophy from Friday 6 May until Sunday 8 May.

A total of 32 teams from the UK, Ireland and the USA will compete for the coveted trophy on the Marine Lake.

As well as teams from the UK, St Croix Yacht Club, Eastern Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, Norfolk Yacht and Country Club and New York Yacht Club from the USA and Baltimore Sailing Club and Royal St. George Yacht Club from Ireland will be competing.

Locally, West Kirby Sailing Club will be looking for their 20th win and the West Kirby Hawks are always a strong team, winning four out of the last five Wilsons. 

Races start at 1pm on Friday, and 8am on Saturday and Sunday with a grandstand on the promenade for competitors to watch the fully commentated high intensity racing.

More information can be found on the Wilson Trophy website.

Firefly Nationals early entry ends next week

 Early entry for this year's Firefly Nationals (Tenby 6th -12th August 2022) ends at midnight on Monday.

Tenby, on the Pembrokeshire coast, has always been a popular venue with the Firefly fleet, particularly families and students. The race area in Carmarthen Bay off the North Bay side of the town offers sheltered waters with the occasional big breeze thrill making it perfect for first-timers and party animals as well as everyone else in between. There's lots to do in the area during the day for non-sailors and accommodation is cheap. This year additional camping has been arranged at the rugby club five minutes walk away so no slog to and from the campsite after a big night!

Entry which is just £299 per boat (£199 for Under 25s & students) until 10 May includes all socials except Helm's Dinner/ Crews Union and some meals. With a maximum entry of just 80 boats the National Firefly Association are advising sailors to get their entry in soon or risk missing out.

So what are you waiting for? Beg, borrow or steal a boat and join the greatest comeback ever!

Find the NoR and entry form on the Firefly Class Website at fireflyclass.co.uk/event/76th-firefly-nationals-at-tenby-6th-aug-12th-aug-2022

INEOS BRITANNIA donate America's Cup race boat 'Britannia II' to the Classic Boat Museum

 The Classic Boat Museum is celebrating a fantastic new edition as the AC75 foiling monohull 'BRITANNIA II', Britain's race boat skippered by Sir Ben Ainslie during the 36th America's Cup held in Auckland in 2021, has arrived at her new home in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

The 75ft yacht, with a top speed of over 50 knots, will join the museums eclectic mix of 89 boats which also includes the original BAR T1 (Ben Ainslie Racing) America's Cup foiling catamaran, used as a test bed for the 2017 Americas Cup in Bermuda, again gifted by Sir Ben and team to the museum in 2018.

Mark Mc Neil, Chairman of the Classic Boat Museum said, "It is a huge privilege for the museum to display this important yacht this summer which performed exceptionally well in the early rounds of the Prada Cup in February 2021. Britannia II joins our wide range of historical break through yachting exhibits and will be as significant addition to the Boat Shed allowing the museum to showcase the history of the exciting development of foiling boats and the British America's Cup story. I would like to thank the team at INEOS BRITANNIA for this amazing donation."

Sir Ben Ainslie, Team principal, and Skipper of INEOS BRITANNIA added, "Showcasing the historical legacy of the America's Cup is one of the goals of the Classic Boat Museum and we are delighted to again support them by donating BRITANNIA II, helping bring the America's Cup story to life and leaving a legacy for the generations to come."

Entry open for Aix Rosé RS200 Women's Weekend at Itchenor Sailing Club

 Entry is open for the RS Class Association's first RS200 Women's Weekend at Itchenor Sailing Club on 9/10th July.

The weekend will allow the females of the RS200s to get together for some informal racing and training, celebrating the talent of the women in our fleet. It will be inclusive, collaborative, and a great time all round.

Included in the weekend fee will be an AIX Rosé sponsored reception at Itchenor Sailing Club on Saturday, followed by a dinner in the clubhouse. All those entered by 8th June will also receive a celebratory event glass to take home.

This is an exciting initiative for the class which we hope will give more females the confidence to helm. It is set to be a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and we extend huge gratitude to Maria Stanley, Maddy Anderson, Itchenor Sailing Club, and AIX Rosé.

The RS Class Association want to encourage as many women to take part as possible and recognise that some sailors may not have a helm/crew to enter with, or may need to travel from afar without a boat and will be helping sailors to find partners and boats - contact sally@rs-association.com if you are looking for a partner, for a boat or are local to Itchenor and may be prepared to lend your boat to support this.

Ulley Sailing Club marks its 50th anniversary

 The club, which officially launched in May 1972, has introduced countless sailors to the water over the decades, including former Olympic gold medallist and Americas Cup competitor Paul Goodison.

It continues to cater for people of all ages and will celebrate its half-century on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday sees a family fun afternoon for members, past members and their family and friends, followed in the evening by a party for members and past members.

On Sunday, 50th Anniversary Open Handicap races will run from 10.30am-5.30pm.

Nicola Panter, commodore of Ulley Sailing Club, said: “It is quite an achievement to get to 50 years, particularly after going through what we have for the last two years (with Covid). The club is run by volunteers.

“At the start of the planning for the anniversary we were still going through the pandemic and we were not sure how much we were going to be able to do, but it is all organised now and we're really looking forward to it.”

Ulley continues to enjoy a thriving membership.

“Family sailing has taken off, particularly in the last couple of years,” said Nicola. “Family memberships have rocketed because sailing is an activity all the family can do.

“We get really small four and five-year-olds through to 18 year-olds. We cater for beginners through to some who have started taking place in races elsewhere representing the club.

“It is about trying to bring them on and you'd like to think there are some future Olympians in amongst those members.”

Anyone interested in trying sailing at Ulley is asked to visit the club website at https://ulleysailingclub.org.uk in the first instance for information.

2022 Eric Twiname Team Racing Championships

 More than 350 youngsters took to Britain's largest reservoir over the May bank holiday as the Eric Twiname Junior Championships made its welcome return.

Having missed 2020 and 2021, the 34th Eric Twiname Junior Championships - known lovingly as the ETs - returned to its long-time home at Rutland Water for three days of racing and fun.

As well as featuring prizes for individual fleets, the iconic event sees the RYA regions go head-to-head for the ultimate award: the Eric Twiname Shield.

Light winds dominated the regatta, and no racing was possible on the final day - but plenty of fun was had off the water as well as on.

This year's winner of the shield was the London and South East region, followed by the North and Midlands regions in second and third.

London and South East also won the windsurfing cup for best overall windsurfing team, while the North region took the dinghy trophy for best overall dinghy team.

It was brilliant to see so many young racers back on the water at the Eric Twiname Junior Championships," said Chris Atherton, RYA National Performance Manager.

"It really is a highlight in the sailing calendar for so many sailors, not just because the racing is great but also because it's a really fun event.

"The lack of wind at times was a shame but there was so much fun being had that we can definitely call the regatta a success.

"Congratulations to all competitors, especially the winning sailors and regions, and of course a huge thank you to Rutland Sailing Club for being excellent hosts and our volunteers without whom we couldn't make events like this happen."