Youth-Sailing Articles
The OpenSkiff class, a major symbol of youth sailing, is sailing into a new season with fresh vigor and excitement. The 2026 season marks a significant milestone with the Italian Federation giving a green light to the new Class Rules, which reintroduces on-water umpiring. This restoration adheres firmly to one of OpenSkiff’s principles, asserting its international prowess and uniqueness within youth sailing.
Since its inception in 2008, OpenSkiff has been a shining beacon of innovation in sport and education. The on-water umpiring feature has always been a characteristic of the class- with instant judgments made on the racecourse, real-time penalty execution, and prompt results upon sailors’ return to shore. This method swiftly handles racing glitches while imparting a valuable educational experience to young sailors.
December 30th, 2025 marked a major event in the world of youth sailing as a wave of young talent descended upon Draycote Water for a thrilling competition. The Draycote Water Sailing Club Youth Open Meeting saw over a hundred eager sailors, all showing an astounding level of skill and determination.
The enthralling one-day event, sponsored by Fernhurst Books, featured fierce competition across four single-handed classes. The classes included Optimist, RS Tera, Topper, and ILCA, with battle cries resonating across the water as youthful sailors went head-to-head.
With an ideal north-easterly breeze setting the stage, the competitors, each battling within different classes, immersed themselves in the heady thrill of a cold but enthralling day of back-to-back races. The event drew commendable entries, with the overall victory in the ILCA 4s being claimed by Callum Marshall from the east coast club Blackwater SC, while Draycote Water’s own Toby Turner secured second place.
