RYA Scotland Performance Pathway check-in: training reflections and early season momentum

As we move towards the start of the racing season, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on the close of RYA Scotland's 2025–26 Performance Pathway Open Training block.

Running from Autumn through to early Spring, we saw a fantastic turnout of sailors across all stages of the pathway, with strong engagement, energy and commitment throughout. We’d like to extend a sincere thank you to parents, guardians, coaches and host venues for the vital role they play in supporting sailors on and off the water. The block delivered many valuable technical, tactical and personal learnings, providing a solid platform as athletes transition into the competition phase of the season.

A key marker of that progress came at the 2026 RYA Youth Nationals at Hayling Island, which provided a valuable early-season benchmark for Scotland’s sailors. We saw strong representation across the classes, with the largest number of Scottish sailors attending in recent years. Competing against the best youth sailors from across the UK, the event offered a clear measure of winter training progress and highlighted the growing depth of talent within the Scottish system.

Challenging conditions and a high standard of racing created important learning opportunities for all involved, and several sailors showed encouraging early-season form. Well done to all who competed, and special congratulations to Cameron McDaid, Emily Shearer and Robin Maspero for achieving top10 finishes in their respective classes. Full results can be found online.

Scottish sailors competing included:

iQFOiL

• Robin Maspero – Royal Forth YC

ILCA 6 Female

• Emily Shearer – Largs SC
• Kate Shellby – Largs SC

ILCA 6 Male

• Alex Whyte – CCC
• Cameron McDaid – Largs SC
• Charles Galloway – Loch Earn SC

• Harry Rooksby – Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC

• Struan Young – Loch Ryan SC

29er

• Finlay Davidson – Dalgety Bay SC
• Ethan Slupinski – Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC
• Duncan McKenzie – Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC

• Amber Gulley – Dalgety Bay SC
• Andrei GHencha – Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC

Looking ahead, the next key date in the calendar is the RYA Scotland Scottish Sailing Pathway Championships, taking place on 20–21 June at Loch Lomond Sailing Club. This will be a great opportunity for sailors to put their winter learning into practice and continue building momentum as the season unfolds.

We’re excited for what lies ahead and look forward to supporting sailors throughout what promises to be a busy summer on the water.

Image credit - Martin Allen Photography