RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta goes virtual for 2020
by Susie NationGrainger 19 Jun 2020 06:16 UTC
From 13 July 2020
RYA Sailability eSailing Multiclass Regatta © Susie Nation-Grainger
Sailability sailors across the UK will still be able to compete in the RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta as the event switches to virtual waters for the 2020 regatta.
The annual regatta, often described as a festival for disabled sailing, was due to take place at Rutland Sailing Club but was cancelled due to Covid19.
However the RYA has teamed up with leading eSailing provider Virtual Regatta to ensure that competitors have the chance to get their racing fix despite many of them still unable to get out on the water.
"Cancelling the Multiclass this year was a really difficult decision and after carefully considering all the options we felt it would be too challenging and high risk to run the event this summer" explains RYA Sailability Manager Joff McGill.
"While this is not a replacement, we are hoping the RYA Sailability eSailing Multiclass Regatta will enable our community to be able to come together virtually and enjoy a fun yet very competitive event".
The event is open to members, participants, volunteers and staff of Sailability accredited sites or Training Centres. The qualifiers will take place on the week commencing 13 July with the finals held on 01 August. Each event will be live streamed on the RYA YouTube channel and there will also be live commentary for the final.
The move to the eSailing follows the success of the RYA eSailing Spring Club and Class Championships which have seen thousands of competitors battling it out on virtual waters since the start of lockdown.
"We know quite a few of our sailors have been enjoying eSailing over the last few months and are getting pretty good but for those who are new to it there is plenty of information and advice to get started and enough time to practice your skills for race day" Joff concluded.
It's free to compete and you can register for the eSailing RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta here before 03 July. Read the Notice of Race.
To find out more about eSailing, details on how to get started and lots of great videos visit the RYA eSailing hub page - www.rya.org.uk/go/esailing.