A virtual champion

Published 15:02 on 2 Mar 2021

To fill the gap with not being able to sail, we have instead been offering 'virtual racing' for our sailors and volunteers using a system developed by World Sailing called Virtual Regatta. In December last year we ran a virtual club championship for the project and this was won by Rik Codling.

Rik then went on to represent the Project in the Eastern Region RYA Championships at the end of February and after some tight racing won the event against all the other Eastern Region and Midlands club champions. With a scoreline which included 4 podium finishes from 5 races, it was a great result. As Eastern Region virtual racing champion, he represented the east at the national virtual racing finals which took place live at the RYA Virtual Dinghy Show on February 28th. With hundreds of people viewing live and commentary by an Olympic sailor, this was an important event in the racing calendar.

Virtual sailing mimics changes in wind strength and direction and is tactically very challenging. Indeed, it has even been used by the GBR Olympic sailing team as part of their preparation for Tokyo 2020 or, as it is now, Tokyo 2021. The competition was tough and very tight. Luckily for insurers, hitting a virtual boat does not lead to a claim or it might have been an expensive event, but like all the best algorithms, you are punished for any infringements! Rik sailed really well and, up against the best sailors in the country came 7th overall with a win in the Laser sailing race.

So, we may not be able to sail for real at Alton Water and Woolverstone, but we have still managed some virtual sailing in the meantime. Fingers crossed we will back to real sailing before long .

Last updated 15:04 on 2 March 2021