Leeds & York universities have kindly offered their fireflies for a random pairs event on Monday 22 December at Ripon SC. Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll to find a convenient date.

 

Whilst more signed up for the January date, we now have some resource constraints on that day so have gone for the next most popular date. 

 

The event will be in Fireflies so the helm needs to be competent and big enough to helm the Firefly. Sailors who want to participate but are not yet big enough to helm the Firefly are encouraged to participate as crews.

 

Random pairs is a bit different to the sort of team racing we normally run as it allows for an individual team of a helm & crew to enter. It runs on a two-boat competition format (last boat loses) and each team (helm & crew combo) is paired on a random basis with another team. The winner is the team with the least number of losses.The effect is to produce some very intense yet friendly racing.

 

It is intense because of the two-boat format which means that slowing one boat is all that is needed to win the race. It is friendly because you could be paired with your opponent in the next race, so it is not a good idea to be totally inhospitable to them!

 

As we are aware there are several parents who have expressed an interest in having a go at team racing, this event is open to adults. We encourage you to defer to your sailor’s advice about crewing vs helming and look forward to some family entries! We will also offer any remaining spaces to the universities and if there is still space, we will invite Ripon SC members to participate as well.

 

The event is priced to cover the facility hire cost plus donate to Leeds’ & York’s boat maintenance funds. As a consequence of the adult participation, sailors & parents need to be aware that there will be adults on site and involved in this activity and thus, the changing rooms may not be an U18 only space. NEYYSA’s safeguarding policy covers events like this and we are committed to ensuring everyone has a safe and fun experience at our events.

 

Please use the team racing whatsapp group to sort out teams and also arrange to share adult supervision on the day as Ripon SC requires all U16 to be accompanied on site by a responsible adult (who can be sailing).

 

If you would like to participate, please complete the Entry Form here.

 

You can sign up as a team (helm & crew) or sign up as helm or crew and we’ll pair you up.

 

Please also indicate on the entry form if you are interested in a post sailing pizza social.

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