Team racing programme in Northern Ireland: Entries are now open!

As we build into an exiting year for RYA Northern Ireland, we are delighted to announce the beginning of our U19 Team Racing Programme.

This programme, which is the first of its kind for Northern Ireland, aims to provide more double handed pathway opportunities for junior and youth sailors. On top of that, it will provide more racing opportunities and chances to get involved with the exhilarating format of sailing that is team racing.

Over the next few months we will run open team racing sessions at Strangford Lough Yacht Club and Ballyholme Yacht Club, with the support of Queen’s University Sailing Club.

Our ultimate goal for 2024 is to send an U19 Northern Ireland Team to the Elmo Cup Trophy at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dublin, helping to provide alternative pathway opportunities for sailors and to maximise athlete potential in Northern Ireland.

Open training- the format

The programme will consist of five open training sessions covering boat handling, tactics and strategy, racing rules, scenarios and teamwork.

Elmo Cup rules state that at least 2 members must be aged 16 and under on 31 December 2024 and all team members must be aged 19 or under on the 31 December 2024 and still attending second level education in 2024, so we will not be accepting applications from sailors outside of this age bracket.

Open Training Sessions – Sign up here

Session 1- SLYC, 2 March 

Session 2- BYC, 16 March 

Session 3- SLYC, 6 April

Session 4- BYC, 20 April 

Session 5- SLYC 11 May 

Selection weekend and squad

Six sailors and four reserves will be selected for the Northern Ireland Elmo Cup team which will be chosen via a pre-determined selection policy.  

To be considered for the team, sailors must also fill out an application form and attend a selection weekend on 25^th and 26^th May.

Applications for the Northern Ireland team racing team close on the April 1^st at 12 noon.

Once a team has been selected, there will be 5 squad weekends prior to the Elmo Cup Trophy which the team racing team will represent RYA Northern Ireland at the event.

If you are unsure about any aspect of the programme, please check out our FAQ’s document or contact the Pathways Officer, Kate Broderick by emailing kate.pounder@rya.org.uk