Get set for the RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championship

Entries are live for the 2026 RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championship taking place over the weekend of 27-28 June at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.

Open to mixed or all-female crews aged 23 and under on 31 December 2026, this popular annual event has two titles up for grabs with trophies for both the overall winners and the highest placed U19 team.

Offering an action-packed schedule – along with a training session on Friday afternoon – the event attracts both new and existing match racers, and bridges the gap into keelboat and match racing for youth sailors who may be more familiar with dinghy racing.

Places are available for up to 12 teams of 3/4 sailors, weighing no more than 272kgs, to #rockupandrace aboard the RYA’s fleet of Elliott 6M keelboats. The format aims to avoid early elimination and maximise the time spent racing by all teams across the weekend.

Would-be teams are urged to check out the Notice of Race and sign up as soon as possible to secure a spot, with early bird entry at £440 per team before 12 noon on 29 May 2026. Entry will then be £540 per team until 12 noon on 12 June 2026.

Jess Beecher, RYA Racing Development & Universities Officer, said: “For anyone inspired by the America’s Cup and SailGP, this is an ideal opportunity to get some friends together and take part in some exciting match racing or give it a go for the first time.

“It’s always a fun weekend for both experienced and new teams to test and develop their skills to take forward into future keelboat and match racing events and we’re looking forward to welcoming sailors from across the UK and beyond.

“With a welcoming and supportive environment, it’s all about encouraging our next generation of match racers and, as ever, a big thank you goes to our sponsor Harken for their continued support.”

Winning format

Last year’s RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championships saw teams ranging from rookies to experienced match racers competing at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.

The title was won by Jamie Tylecote and his Rutland SC team of Terry Hacker, Isabel Leetch and Gracie Joslin, with Alex Vollmer and a young team from Oxford SC – Daniel Larsen, Rachel Alms and Adam Larsen – becoming U19 champions at their first ever match racing event.

Taking part is easy with the keelboats provided and a warm welcome for all. Previous winners have competed at the RYA National Match Racing Championship and gone on to represent GBR internationally. Could it be your team on the podium in 2026?

Enter now for the RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championship and discover more about this exciting part of the sport, including a ‘how to match race’ guide, at RYA Match Racing.