Building on the momentum of the Keelboat Academy, a group of Marconi sailors were introduced to match racing as they extended their sailing season throughout the Autumn.
The initiative, sparked from an idea of Isabella Ferneyhough, was taken on by Mia Morgan who set about accumulating video resources and other training assets that were then delivered by Mia in a series of evening online ‘Introduction to Match Racing’ workshops.
Each workshop was followed up by on water sessions where the knowledge gained was applied in short match races where all participants got the chance to both crew and helm, whilst others made umpire decisions from the rib supported by David Nickalls, who last winter participated in Marconi’s umpire training.
The match race training took place in the clubs wayfarers and lasers as the weather each time prevented the SB20 keelboats from launching, but the lessons learned, coupled with the enthusiasm shown for this exciting form of racing has resulted in the group deciding to organise a further series of Match Race training events in the spring using the SB20’s.
Would you like to get involved in Match Racing?
Could you become the 2023 Marconi Match Race Champion!
Contact Mia Morgan to register your interest and to start to receive information direct about Match Race sailing opportunities at Marconi.
Post Publication: Since writing this article Marconi have been invited by the RYA to shadow the Match Race officials and organisers at the National Match Racing Series 1 event on 14-15th January at Queen Mary’s. Anyone who’d like to spend a day doing this then please contact Peter Ward.
