The annual RYA Scotland Youth and Junior Championships kindly hosted by Loch Tummel Sailing club took place over the 22nd – 23rd June 2024. The event was a chance for the junior and youth pathway community to come together for a weekend of racing. The weather certainly provided top notch conditions for racing with some fleets managing 12 races.
The event featured three fleets:
The weekend saw great performances from all classes. There were dominant performances from Emily Shearer (Topper), Daniel MacGregor (IQFoil) and Botond Bendeguz Szincsak (Techno) all scoring several first places across the weekend.
Team Feva also joined the championship fleet this year after several years of not having enough sailors to compete. The resurgence in team Feva is a fantastic asset to Scottish pathway sailing. Jess Ewer and Ava O'Brien putting in a strong performance placing first overall after 12 Races. Team Feva results were close across the board, with multiple boats placing in the top three across the weekend. This group of sailors will certainly be ones to watch as the fleet continues to grow. A noteworthy mention for the future is that the RS Feva nationals are coming to Scotland in 2025 and will be hosted by Dalgety Bay SC. Team Feva are looking forward to the event and to the home advantage!
The oppie fleet provided some interesting racing for siblings, with the Ritchie’s and the Jackson’s all finishing in the top 5. On this occasion it was Finlay Ritchie who secured first place after 12 races with Hector Jackson in second and Clarissa Jackson in third.
In light of the RYA pathway review, the weekend tested different racing formats. Championship fleets experienced long and short course racing. The short course racing on Alpha Course stood out, offering very close competition, and enhancing boat-on-boat tactics. RYA Scotland plans to continue experimenting with various racing formats to ensure fun, engagement, and skill development for the sailors.
A special mention this weekend goes out to the coach team of which at the end of play on Saturday provided junior class sailors the opportunity to get out on a 29er. This was taken up by several junior sailors, all of whom came back off the water excited and enthused for their progression into youth classes.
“A top weekend was had on all accounts with lots of sun and plenty of breeze for the sailors!”
“It is clear to see that the racing community of junior and Youth pathway classes is strong in Scotland. There was a real buzz about the club on and off the water.”
“Large events like these don’t just happen overnight and RYAS are very thankful for the efforts of Loch Tummel sailing club, the volunteers, coaches, sailors and wider RYAS team for making the event happen”.
“ The summer ahead is full of lots of racing activity for pathway sailors and we wish you all well on your sailing endeavours in the coming months”
“The RYA Scotland Youth and Junior event at Loch Tummel Sailing CLub really encapsulated the essence of our strategy: People, Places and Communities. We had a tremendous range of people - the sailors, parents and carers, coaches, club volunteers, Class Association reps and staff - gathering in a fabulous place with great access to the water - to strengthen the community around junior and youth pathway sailing.”
“We were also able to host two visitors from the sportscotland Performance team who were hugely impressed with the sailors and coaches. As one commented, "I doubt there is any other sport where the youngsters who participate are so independent and confident".
“It was also exciting to see the full extent of the pathway on the water with those picking up regatta racing for the first time and at the other end a new entrant into the British Youth Sailing Squad.”
RYAS Scotland are also pleased to say that Ben Luckett Joined the RYA Scotland team this week as Interim Pathway sailing officer. Here’s Ben’s perspective of what he saw out on the water during his first event with the RYA Scotland team.
“On the water this weekend pathway Youth and Junior sailors showcased remarkable technique, strategy, and resilience.”
“Day 1 posed a challenge with longer courses and strong breezes. On Alpha Course, the Optimist Fleet led the charge, closely followed by the Toppers, Fevas, and ILCAs. The races were marked by fast starts, fierce battles at the marks, and tight finishes. Bravo Course saw the IQFoils, Technos, and 29ers striving for speed and tighter angles. The Onboard fleet demonstrated their strength, completing several races despite the stronger winds.”
“Day 2 brought slightly lighter conditions and shorter course formats, requiring a tactical shift for the sailors. Alpha Course featured seven short races with up to 30 boats engaging in close quarters sailing at the windward and leeward gates. Bravo Course switched to downwind slalom courses, challenging sailors to maximize speed in light winds—a tough physical test. The Onboard fleet continued to race under the guidance of RYA Scotland coaches, resulting in smiles all around and inspired sailors eager for more.”
“Overall, it was a brilliant weekend with fantastic sailors displaying the skills they've honed in their sailing careers!”
Next up in the RYA Scotland Pathway events calendar is the ‘Giant’ Academy’ held in September. This will again look to kick start the Academy programme, look out for further details as this event develops.
Full results for the RYA Scotland Youth and Junior Championships 2024 are available hereReport by Jamie Rogers RYA Scotland Pathway Manager
Images courtesy of Brian Pahlmann -RYA Scotland Regional Development Officer -North