Get set for 2024 RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championships

There’s still time to enter the RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championships but teams keen to take part are urged to sign up as soon as possible.

With 10 teams already entered there are just two places left to #rockupandrace at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy over the weekend of 29-30 June 2024.

The RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championship invites sailors aged 14 to 23 to compete aboard Elliott 6m keelboats for the overall title and there is also a trophy for Under-19s.

Richard Moxey, RYA Keelboat Development Manager, said: “I’m delighted to see this annual match racing event growing in popularity and it’s been fantastic to see so many entries coming in with two weeks still to go before the closing date.

“Traditionally this event attracts both experienced teams and those wanting to give keelboat and match racing a go for the first time, and we’ll have top match racing skipper and current national champion Ted Blowers on hand to mentor teams throughout the weekend.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting and sociable weekend of short course, fast turnaround windward-leeward racing, and I would urge youth sailors to take a look and join us!”

The Notice of Race is at RYA Match Racing and entries are open until 23:59 Wednesday 19 June 2024.

Last year’s RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championship saw skipper Ben Tylecote claim victory for the second year running, while Harry Sims from Llandegfedd SC took the U-19 title. Sims is among those returning for the 2024 edition, along with helms Oli Hale (Poole YC) and Heather Quinn.

Heather said: “I entered the youth champs last year, which was my first time skippering at a match racing event. I’m looking forward to it this year because it’s a really fun event and a great opportunity to develop match racing skills. I love match racing because it’s so fast paced; I really enjoy the mental challenge and being part of a team.”

Other skippers already signed up include Ollie Leeson (British Keelboat Academy), Amber Hale (Poole YC), Natasha Baker (Tata Steel SC), Eve Kennedy (Parkstone YC), Fred Salter (Ryde School), Jack Solly (Starcross YC) and Jamie Tylecote (Rutland).

Entries are invited from teams of 3/4 crew with a maximum weight of 272kg in total, and a minimum of one female sailor. All sailors must be U23 by the 31 December 2024, and for the Under-19 trophy aged under 19 on 29 June 2024. All sailors must be over 14 on the first day of the event.

The winning team will be invited to compete at the RYA National Match Racing Championship Grand Finals, 18 - 20 October 2024, in RS21s at London’s Queen Mary Sailing Club.

Find out more about this and all upcoming events at RYA Match Racing.