Endeavour Trophy virtual regatta at RYA Volvo Dinghy Show
by John McKenna 22 Dec 2011 20:19 GMT
3-4 March 2012
Endeavour Trophy 2011 © Graeme Sweeney / Marine Images
The RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, to be held over the weekend of 3-4 March 2012, will have an added attraction in the form of a virtual regatta.
The regatta, powered by the inshore sailboat racing and training game SailX.com, will be open to all and will be run over seven weeks in the lead up to the event, culminating with Finals at the dinghy show on the Volvo Main Stage.
Of course a computer game could never test all the myriad of skills involved in sailboat racing, but as a high-performance rules and strategy-based racing game, SailX does offer an interesting insight into who really has the best understanding of these fascinating and vital areas of our sport. On top of this, given the importance of these mental aspects, SailX also provides sailors with a great platform to shout about what makes the sport so special and to engage new people in sailing’s fascinating gameplay.
In an exciting development, the famous Endeavour Trophy will also be associated with this event, with the winning class being awarded the 2012 RYA Volvo Dinghy Show Championship Trophy, and the winning individual being awarded with the 2012 Virtual Endeavour Trophy. The Endeavour Trophy, a fine silver replica of the J Class yacht, Endeavour, donated by Beecher Moore in 1934 and awarded to the Champion of Champions of the British dinghy world on an annual basis, will also be on display at the show.
Interestingly the virtual nature of this regatta will help the Endeavour Championship to broaden its reach beyond the 30 or so classes which can physically be accommodated in the real-world event, and it will give all classes an equal chance to present the quality and depth of sailing talent in their fleets.
But most importantly perhaps, SailX will give every sailor competing in this regatta, a chance to warm up ready for the 2012 racing season… let the competition begin.
For more information about SailX go to www.sailx.com/ryavolvodinghyshow
For details about the Endeavour Championship visit: www.royalcorinthian.co.uk/endeavour-championship, or contact: Edwin Buckley on +44 (0)7768 003 453.
To find out more about the 2012 RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, go to www.rya.org.uk/programmes/dinghyshow