The RYA are pleased to have partnered with World Sailing and Virtual Regatta, the leading digital sailing platform, to launch the GBR eSailing National Championship.
Officially launched at the RYA Dinghy Show in March, the free-to-play online game provides players with an opportunity to race against friends, fellow sailors and real-world Olympic champions.
All players from the United Kingdom will automatically be entered into the exclusive GBR eSailing National Championship, racing the same challenges, seasons and playoffs as the eSailing World Championship and ranking both nationally and globally.
The inaugural season will end on 01 September 2019 with the top ranking British eSailor crowned the 2019 GBR eSailing National Champion. The top ten British eSailors will automatically qualify for the eSailing World Championship Finals Playoff taking place in early September, with the top eight advancing to the 2019 eSailing World Championship Final in Bermuda.
Aimed at everyone from expert sailors to total novices, the eSailing World Championship is helping to inform, engage and inspire a new community of sailors and sailing fans.
Last year’s eSailing World Championship saw 170,000 unique players from 74 nations battling it out to be crowned eSailing World Champion. Inspired by the excitement of sailing, the game aims to reach both sailors onshore, as well as those without access to sailing equipment.
Governed by the World Sailing Virtual Rules of Sailing, the eSailing World Championship closely matches the real-world rules and formats that govern on-the-water racing. The in-game ‘Sailing School’ provides a clear explanation of the sport and a new and effective learning tool to familiarise players with the strategies, tactics and terminology of sailing.
RYA Director of Sport Development, Alistair Dickson commented: “We are delighted to be working with World Sailing and Virtual Regatta to deliver the GBR eSailing National Championships. The game provides us with a brilliant opportunity to promote the sport to new audiences, who may not have considered it as an activity before.
“We look forward to hopefully inspiring a new community of all ages and backgrounds to get involved with sailing, get out on the water and discover everything the sport has to offer.”
Could you be crowned champion? Visit www.virtualregatta.com or download the ‘Virtual Regatta Inshore’ App from the App Store or Google Play.