Applications open for 2018 RPAYC Youth Development Program
by Brendan Rourke 8 Apr 2018 22:00 PDT
12 May 2018
RPAYC Youth Development © Brendan Rourk
Applications are open for the 2018 RPAYC Youth Development Program whilst Rankings Soar for graduates of the Youth Development Squad program.
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Youth Development squad members have had a great year of match and fleet racing for the 2017-2018 season, with some impressive victories and podium finishes. As a result of this many skippers within the squad have seen a rise up the international World Sailing match racing rankings, in both the open and women's category.
Clare Costanzo and her team of Jess Angus, Hannah Lanz, Celia Willison and Ruby Scholten made history for being the first ever Female skipper and all female team to win the prestigious Hardy Cup. This win in February this year has seen Costanzo continue to climb in the top one hundred of the World Sailing open match race rankings, and climb into the top 10 in the women's race rankings.
Club Coach Tom Spithill credits the success of the season to a strong squad: "Here at RPAYC our philosophy has been about sending a variety of teams to each event. In some cases we will send a less experienced team to an event, with the goal of giving them the exposure of competing against other teams at different venues. On return this team is able to take what they have learnt, and apply it in our in house training. This year we have seen a large number of our graduates go onto do some impressive yachting outside of the program. That to me is the ultimate, and what gives me much satisfaction to see the retention of these sailors in the sport!"
Recently at the MC 38 National Championship, out of the nine boats competing, four had 2017 Youth Development graduates on board. There were various other Youth Development graduates from past years also amongst the fleet.
It was a similar story at the Farr 40 Nationals, with a large Youth Development presence amongst the fleet.
Past Graduates have also enjoyed trying their hand racing in the very competitive Etchels class, with four Youth Club Etchells teams campaigning for the Worlds later this year Brisbane in October 2018.
The Youth Development Program commences for 2018 in June, with details and expression of interest forms available on the Club website: www.rpayc.com.au/sailing/youth-development-program.
The Club we will be holding an information morning and a casual sail on May 12th for age eligible sailors interested in this year's program. The schedule of the morning would be 1000hrs meet have a chat and answer any questions, then head out on the water (1040hrs) for a couple of informal windward leeward sprint races (Non Spinnaker) in the Elliott 7 keelboats, and return to the club at 1230hrs.
For those younger sailors wanting to try out keelboat sailing and interested in later being a member of the Youth Development Squad then the ideal program for them would be the Intermediate Youth Development Program, however there are limited spots available: www.rpayc.com.au/youth-development-progam/the-intermediate-yd-program