Match racing clinics launched by British Keelboat Sailing
by British Keelboat Sailing 10 Oct 19:36 BST
Booking is live for a new series of Match Racing Clinics © Simon Winkley Marine
British Keelboat Sailing is launching a series of training weekends to support teams wanting to learn match racing or develop their skills. The joint initiative by the RYA and Royal Thames Yacht Club is designed to help both existing match racers and those wanting to give it a go for the first time.
A total of six Match Racing Clinics will take place over winter/spring led by Niall Myant-Best, who is the former lead coach of the British Keelboat Academy and has been coaching match racing for over a decade.
Niall said: "We have healthy UK circuit with a number of teams who want to improve and there's also a lot of interest in match racing with INEOS Britannia getting a British team to the final of the America's Cup for the first time in over 60 years.
"We felt the time was right to launch a series of match racing clinics to give teams an opportunity to sharpen their skills and also encourage good racing sailors from other backgrounds and boats to take part. Teams will be able to experiment and practise in a training environment and it's a chance to take an advanced look at what it takes to win and be better prepared for the competition ahead of next season."
The #rockupandlearn clinics are for teams of 3/4 and will use Elliott 6M keelboats at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy and the Royal Thames Yacht Club fleet of Sonars at London's Queen Mary Sailing Club.
Richard Moxey, RYA Keelboat Development Manager, said: "We hope these clinics will help to strengthen and broaden the appeal of match racing by enabling existing teams to develop their knowledge and by supporting those who would like to give it a go to have the confidence to go along to an event and enjoy it."
Book now for Match Racing Clinics 2024-2025:
Jack Fenwick, Sailing Development Manager for Royal Thames Yacht Club, added: "We're excited to be supporting these clinics to help make match racing more accessible for people who are keen to develop their skills or try it for the first time. No previous keelboat experience is necessary, you just need to be a good racing sailor, and each weekend will be tailored to the participants and their experience.
"A lot of match racing is simple and some of it is quite complicated, so these clinics will be a really good opportunity for teams to come along and learn, whether that's starting tactics, set plays or boat handling. It's also ideal training ahead of the 2025 match racing season."
There will be a Telegram crew-finder group to support skippers and sailors wanting to join in. The clinics are for sailors aged over 18, with youth sailors (aged 14+) also eligible if accompanied on board by an adult.
Teams are welcome to sign up for just one clinic or multiple, with each weekend costing £400 per team. With each weekend limited to just four boats, teams are advised to book sooner rather than later.
Find out more about RYA Match Racing and sign up now for the clinics hosted by Royal Thames Yacht Club at QMSC and at WPNSA with the links above.