2021 Eric Twiname Junior Championships cancelled

Eric Twiname Junior Championships © Richard Aspland / RYA

The RYA regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2021 Eric Twiname Junior Championships following the withdrawal of Bassenthwaite Sailing Club as hosts.

The Lake District-based club's council unanimously decided against holding the two-day regatta, scheduled for July 9 and 10, following the government's decision to extend Covid-19 restrictions until July 19.

As well as concerns around social distancing, the club's decision was influenced by guidelines from Cumbria's Director of Public Health advising against travel in and out of the region to prevent the possible spread of Covid-19.

The RYA and Eric Twiname Trust looked at moving the regatta to another venue but unfortunately accepts this is not possible given time and logistical constraints.

Our thanks go to Bassenthwaite SC, Eric Twiname's home sailing club, for all the work that had been put into the planning for this event, which they were to host for the first time as part of their 50th anniversary.

Jon Denwood, Commodore of Bassenthwaite Sailing Club and a trustree of the Eric Twiname Trust, said: "I, like all our members, had been really looking forward our club hosting the prestigious Eric Twiname Junior Championships next month. The club's association with Eric made it even more special.

"Unfortunately, with the extension of the Covid restrictions and the numbers who were expected to be at the event, competing, supporting and volunteering, the club council felt it was not possible for the event to proceed in a Covid-safe manner. We thought long and hard but felt as a team it was the right thing to do. I know this will be a great disappointment to many young sailors and I hope you all get to visit our fantastic sailing club in the future."

"We are desperately sad for the young sailors who were looking forward to racing in this fantastic event," Mark Nicholls, the RYA's Youth Racing Manager, said. "We have always said that the ultimate decision to hold the event lay with Bassenthwaite Sailing Club. They have decided they don't feel comfortable hosting the regatta, and we must respect that.

"We know that cancelling at such short notice will inconvenience many parents and volunteers who had committed to supporting the event. We were all looking forward to heading to Bassenthwaite. We have looked into the potential of another venue hosting the event but unfortunately this is not feasible at such short notice."

Ian Walker, RYA Director of Racing, added: "This is bitterly disappointing and is the last news that our keen young sailors will want to hear. The last thing the RYA wants is for events to be cancelled, especially events aimed at young sailors, but we understand the importance of respecting the guidance of local authorities."

Junior sailors will still be able to get their racing fix at the British Youth Sailing Regional Junior Championships, scheduled to take place over the weekend at multiple venues around the country on September 25 and 26.

More information about locations for the Regional Junior Championships will be issued in due course.

Youth racers will be looking forward to the return of the RYA Youth National Championships, which will take place from August 8 to 15 at Mountbatten Watersports and Activities Centre in Plymouth, and August 17 to 19 at Edge Watersports, Exmouth, for kites.