Zone championships

Young sailors test their skill across the UK

Young sailors up and down the country will be competing at the RYA Zone Championships, which take place at six clubs throughout England over the weekends of the 28/29 June 2003 or the 5/6 July 2003. The sailors that will be competing are all under the age of 17 and represent the future of sailing in this country.

In previous years the Championships have attracted a huge variety of sailors and supporters from clubs across Great Britain. They are intended to provide a great opportunity for all young sailors, of all standards, to experience big regatta racing without having to travel half the length of the country. This year's entries are expected to include National Junior and Zone Squad sailors, as well as many new club level racers, venturing out onto the circuit for the first time.

RYA Youth Racing Manager, Steve Joel, said, "The RYA is very keen to attract the youngest club level sailors who might not have sailed at any big events outside of their club before. The excellent organisation of each Championship means that their first taste of racing away from the club will be a pleasant and friendly affair and all those involved should enjoy an excellent weekend of racing."

The RYA Zone Championships have steadily grown in stature and popularity amongst junior sailors since the inaugural events in 1999. They are key regattas for any junior sailor wishing to progress up the RYA Youth Sailing Programme of training squads, regardless of sailing background or class of boat. In particular, they provide the first opportunity of the year for sailors to be invited to RYA Zone Squad training.

A new aspect of the event for 2003 is that the events will focus on the younger sailors in just the junior classes. In the dinghies, racing will be in the Optimist, Topper, Cadet and Mirror classes with the Hobie Dragoons all attending a single national event in the East Zone. Windsurfing racing will be in the 3.5m, 4.5m, 5.5m and National Junior Class. There will also be fast and slow handicap classes to encourage sailors in all classes to
join in. It is hoped that clubs will bring their team of sailors to this event to give them a real taste for competition.

The events are as follows:

RYA North Zone Championship, Covenham Sailing Club - 28/29 June
RYA West Zone Championship, Ullswater Yacht Club - 28/29 June
RYA East Zone Championship, Grafham Water Sailing Club - 28/29 June
RYA South Zone Championship, Hayling Island Sailing Club - 28/29 June
RYA South West Zone Championship, Chew Valley Sailing Club - 28/29 June
RYA South East Zone Championship, Bewl Valley Sailing Club - 5/6 July

Sailors can enter the RYA Zone Championships by logging on to the RYA
website www.rya.org.uk or contact the High Performance Manager in their zone
for further details