29er class association changes

Gearing up for Rutland

Changes in the 29er UK Class Association has gathered pace in the last few weeks before the start of the 2011 racing season.

Much time has been invested with the draft of the new Class Association constitution, and will be presented and discussed at the SGM, at the 1st Harken Grand Prix of the year at Rutland SC on 26 March.

To help sailors compete at international events, the Class Association has introduced travel grants for members who are not currently in the RYA Youth & Transitional squads. These are for the Europeans in Switzerland and one of the Eurocup events at Riva on Lake Garda. To qualify for these generous grants, please see details on the website for the indicator events.

The racing season is upon us, with the event diary nicely taking shape, with a number of Harken Grand Prix’s and Eurocup events throughout the year, with the Nationals at the Royal Torbay YC.

For sailors deciding if the 29er may be the boat for them, the Class Association has introduced three 'Try a 29er' weekends, to use a boat supplied by Ovington with an experienced sailor, to give you an idea of the fun and exhilaration that can be found on these double handed skiffs.

Due to the large numbers of junior sailors moving into this youth class, Ovington, the 29er manufacturers, are offering good part exchange deals on new boats at present to help satisfy the demand for second hand boats.

With many of the top 29er sailors preferring to use Zhik clothing and equipment, proposed links between the 29er Association and Zhik are nearly finalised, with more details to follow.