IOCA UK Team Racing 18 - 19 May 2024
The IOCA UK Team Racing 2024 is being held on 18-19 May 2024 at Oxford Sailing Club, home of the Eric Twiname Team Racing Championships. The Notice of Race has been published and the event is open for entries.
The format will be similar to last year's event but held over two days, weather permitting... It will be a fun event and something quite diferent to a regular championship weekend. The racing is fast and fun, with all the ups and downs shared with your team mates.
So why not pull together a 4-boat team and give it a go? You may want to form a team with friends from your club or regional training group, or perhaps with sailors you've met at national events. If you are a pair and would like to find another pair to make a team, please contact us and we'll help partner you up.
When you are forming a team it is worth having a look at the Selection Policy for 2024 as the results of the championship will be used to select IOCA/GBR teams to compete in international team racing competitions in Berlin and Monaco. There are certain age and gender requirements which are important if you are in contention for one of these competitions. If this isn't what you are aiming for then a 4-boat team, with any mix of boys and girls aged up to Oppie age 15 yrs is fine.
If you haven't sailed as a team before, it would be worth getting a couple of practice sessions in before the event. Perhaps ask your club coach if you could do some team racing in your next training session. Or ask your IOCA Regional Rep about the possibility of organising a team racing training day near to home? We can recommend this excellent book, written by Chris Atkins, who works closely with the Class and will be at Oxford in May. There is also a lot of information available on the UK Team Racing Association website, including an 'Intro to Team Racing' video.
Team racing is fun, competitive and adds another string to your sailing bow. It remains the core of dinghy racing competition at university so getting the basics in Optimists will stand you in good stead whatever the future brings. If you'd like any more information please get in touch with Jamie and Jo teamracing@optimist.org.uk
IOCA(UK) Team Racing Championships, Portland Harbour 2023
