RYA eSailing Spring Class Championship finalists revealed

by Emma Slater 16 Jun 2020 20:09 BST 9am, 20 June 2020

Over the last two months, 788 sailors, representing 26 classes have been battling it out on the virtual waters, in an attempt to represent their class in the national final of the RYA eSailing Spring Class Championship.

Getting through to the final is no easy feat, not only does it mean beating fellow class racers in a class championship, but it also means beating other class champions to stake claim to a place in the final.

A total of 26 racers competed in two semi-finals which took place over the weekend of 13 June, with the top 19 going through to the final and we can now reveal the full line up for the final this weekend (Saturday 20 June).

The finalists are:

• Mike O'Donovan - UK Laser Association - Laser Standard - "I'm really looking forward to the final. Knowing the competition, I expect it to be some great racing and a very close finale. The small gains will make the difference and so hopefully I can make the right calls and come out on top."
• Arthur Farley - UK Laser Association - Laser Radial
• Dan Bullock - RS Aero 7
• Max Steele - UK Laser Association - Laser 4.7
• Rory Chalmers - RC35 Scotland
• Ian Fryett - Miracle
• Grey Eaton - Firefly
• Stephen Videlo - Lark
• Arthur Henderson - Merlin Rocket - "I really enjoyed the semi-final, as you would expect the level of competition was incredibly high. It was tough to get off the start line and stay in clear air, and I found myself getting in the way of others far too often. I am looking forward to giving it another go at the final, and keeping the tactical brain working in preparation for going out racing for real soon!"
• Justin Jones - Hornet
• Isabelle Waha - SB20 - "The semi-finals provided a very challenging fleet and some good competition. It's fun to represent my class and be one of the few girls in the competition."
• Sam Whaley - Waszp - "I had a solid series on Saturday to qualify the Waszp class for the eSailing Class Championships final next weekend. The competition was tough but it was good fun and I'm looking forward to stepping it up a gear next weekend."
• Donnie Gillies - GP14
• Freddie Sunderland - RS Tera Sport
• Tom Jeffcote - Scorpion
• Liam Willis - RS Aero 9
• Will Hitchman - 2000
• Megan Pascoe - International 2.4mR Class - "I'm not entirely sure how I made it to the final as I managed to drop my kite mid run and miss two marks so it was definitely a wobbly semi-final. As I don't do any competitive racing at the moment it is great fun to be doing some. I'm preparing for the final by crossing all fingers and toes that I won't come last. It should be a lot of fun and I'm going to try and do the basics right."
• Giles Therkelson-Smith - Streaker

'The semi-final was extremely close and great to watch so I am looking forward to some more battles on the virtual water this Saturday. Both Mike and Arthur sailed extremely well to win their respective semi-finals however with a brand new series in the final it is anyone's event to win!' commented Adam McGovern, RYA North West Regional Development Officer and resident eSailing guru.

The final will air live on the RYA YouTube Channel and Facebook page at 09.00am on Saturday 20 June with live commentary from Jack Fenwick, RYA Keelboat Development Manager and Sam Usher, RYA NE Regional Development Officer. Tune in and cheer on your class champion.

The winner will receive an Essential 45L Dry Tube, courtesy of Musto, a dryrobe plus a virtual Q&A session for their class with a member of the British Sailing Team.

After the success of the eSailing Spring Club Championship in May, we are all really looking forward to the final of the eSailing Class Championships. Players have been practising their online sailing skills and racing promises to be extremely close. Make sure you tune in on Saturday morning and cheer your class on!" commented Celia Edgington, RYA Shows and Promotions Manager.

To find out more about eSailing, details on how to get started and lots of great videos visit the RYA eSailing hub page - rya.org.uk/go/esailing

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