The iconic Eric Twiname Junior Championships, organised by the RYA in conjunction with the Eric Twiname Trust, sees junior sailors come together to race and represent their region or home country.

It takes place in the following British Youth Sailing recognised junior classes – Optimist, RS Tera, RS Feva and Topper dinghies – as well as four different rig sizes of Bic Techno windsurfer.

The first event took place in 1986 and has seen thousands of young sailors compete, including Olympians past and present.Sailing stars Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy were among the early winners of the regatta before going on to Olympic greatness.

The regatta, named in memory of legendary sailor, author and journalist Eric Twiname, is regarded by many young racers as a rite of passage as they continue their journey to become top-level racers.

Twiname made his name in sailing winning numerous national titles in a range of dinghy classes, as well as in team racing where he captained the British Universities Sailing Association.

He was also greatly influential in shaping the Racing Rules which govern racing in the UK, sitting on the RYA’s Racing Rules Committee and working as the Racing Rules Advisor to the British Olympic Association.

Sailors can enter the event by invitation only to compete at the regatta, after proving themselvesamong the top talent from their region.The sailors, aged between 10 and 16, hail from the RYA’s ten home countries and regions nationwide, and represent the very best in regional talent to vie for the title of top region as well as podium places in the British Youth Sailing Recognised Classes.

For more information on the next/current event please go to the overview page/entry page or email us at racing.events@rya.org.uk.