SailX Virtual Championships launched in build-up to ISAF Youth Worlds 2013

For the second year in a row, the award-winning sailboat racing simulator SailX.com will be running the 'Virtual ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships'. After last years' successful collaboration with ISAF and the team in Dublin, this years' virtual event will take place from 20th May – 30th June 2013, to provide a fun and beneficial build-up to the main regatta to be held in Limassol, Cyprus from 13th – 20th July.

Unlike the real-world competition where spaces are naturally limited to the few that qualify and can afford to attend, the virtual event is open to every sailor that may want to take part – even including non-youth sailors in fact, who will have a separate ranking.

In this innovative competition ISAF Youth Worlds competitors will battle against some of the smartest minds in inshore sailboat racing, including top-level coaches and sailors, sharpening their mental game and readying themselves for battle in the real world as they do so. With mental performance being such a vitally important aspect of inshore sailboat racing, the use of simulation has now become a core part of a sailor's training - as much as it has become so for pilots, medics, soldiers, etc.

Click HERE to register.

Results will be categorised by age and the winning individual in the 'Youth' classification will be awarded with the 'ISAF Youth Virtual Sailing World Championships Trophy'.

Yiannos Photiou, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, commented, "The SailX racing environment and social tools will help us bring the young sailors who are coming to Cyprus together before July, plus it will also help us engage many more sailors young and old from all over the world. Hopefully we will be able to make them feel part of this great event."

SailX creator Amando Estela commented "It will be fascinating to watch the top youth sailing talent from all over the world battle it out. Of course no simulation could never test all of the skills involved in sailing, but this "Virtual Youth Worlds' will quickly show us those competitors who really understand racing strategy and rules – both vital areas for success in our sport. More important however, I'm 100% sure that SailX will help every competitor to emerge 'hot' and ready to race in Cyprus come July!"

Racing in last year's Virtual ISAF Youth Worlds

Steve Hunt (S1D Coach of the Year) using SailX (the 2D version) to provide some top racing tips