Dutch National Team Racing Championships – expressions of interest required
IODAI are currently looking at opportunities for sending Optimist Teams to the key Team Racing events in Europe.
There are a number of International Team Racing events which teams from all over the world compete and the committee is actively considering how teams can be pulled together to participate in these. The events are generally on an invitation only basis and these invites tend to get withdrawn in subsequent years if the teams are not performing at a competitive level. Following the successful performance of Irish teams at these events in 2017 invites have again been issued to Iodai. The committee hopes to be able to put in place a selection process that takes team performance, gender balance and sailor succession into consideration. It is likely that the VP Cup will also be used as part of the selection process. It will take a few weeks to agree a way forward and the committee will communicate again in advance of the VP Cup.
However, IODAI have received an invitation to compete at the Dutch National Team Racing Championships in June and have to decide on attendance prior to agreeing the longer term selection process. The committee is seeking expressions of interest from sailors/teams for this event. These should be sent to [email protected]. Given the tight timelines, such expressions of interest should be received by Friday 18th May. Please note that this is a mixed gender event, i.e. 2 girls and 2 boys and that it is being held the same weekend as the Leinster Regionals. In the event that a team is formed/agreed, the participating sailors will receive average points for the Leinsters.
Pleas note: Accommodation is often provided by the organising club so as to try and keep costs down. A coach and team parent is needed to accompany the kids, with pre-event coaching being a must for the successful applicants. In order to allow the kids to actually compete at the event and get an invitation the following year.
Team racing is a great basis for building on many of the skills needed for fleet racing while at the same time giving the kids the chance to compete as part of a team which is great fun and very inclusive for all. It is also worth while remembering that long after the kids have moved on from the Optimist fleet they will continue to team race in school and university.
Look forward to hearing from interested parents and sailors.
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