Young windsurfers enjoy opening weekend of Regional Junior Championships
by British Sailing Team 21 Sep 2020 20:08 UTC
19-20 September 2020
2020 Regional Junior Championships © British Sailing Team
Dozens of youngsters from across the country took to the water this weekend for the first stage of the 2020 Regional Junior Championships.
The young windsurfers took part in four regional regattas held simultaneously over September 19 and 20, aimed at delivering safe and enjoyable racing.
Successful regattas were held at Burton Sailing Club and Glossop Sailing Club in Derbyshire, Datchet Water Sailing Club in Slough and at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
This coming weekend will see the second part of the Championships held, with five more regional regattas catering for the Optimist, Topper, RS Tera Sport and RS Feva classes as well as one remaining windsurfing event.
The schedule is as follows:
Unfortunately, the North region regatta scheduled to take place this weekend at Ullswater Yacht Club has been cancelled due to the current Covid-19 situation in the north of England. Competitors will be contacted directly about event entry fee refunds and intentions for Regional Training Groups this winter after the Regional Junior Championships have concluded.
Find the latest information on OnBoard fleets at the Regional Junior Championships here.
Crucially, anyone who chooses not to attend RYA Youth or Junior Events, either as a precautionary measure or due to illness or self-isolation, will not be negatively impacted in any RYA Squad or Training Group selections.
Chris Atherton, the RYA's National Performance Manager, said: "We are delighted that the first part of the Regional Junior Championships was a great success, with dozens of young windsurfers enjoying safe and fun racing.
"We are now looking forward to part two which will see youngsters in the Optimist, Topper, RS Tera Sport and RS Feva classes compete in their regional regattas.
"We fully appreciate the current challenges of hosting events with the Covid-19 pandemic still affecting many parts of the country but we are confident that these regattas can be delivered safely.
"Each venue is Covid secure, and each regatta will be run adhering to Government legislation, regional restrictions and and RYA guidelines.
"However it is important that anyone attending a regatta considers the risk profile of themselves, their close family and others."
Results from the opening weekend of Regional Junior Championships regattas can be found here.