Team racing returns to Oxford
The 2026 RYA Eric Twiname Youth and Junior Team Racing Championships will take place at Oxford Sailing Club on 10 and 11 October. The event brings young sailors together for a fast format based on short races and team tactics.
Junior teams will race RS Fevas while youth sailors use Fireflies. Boats are supplied for racing, allowing on-water changeovers and keeping the programme moving without teams needing to transport their own fleets.
Short races and many starts
Organisers expect around 250 races across the weekend, with individual races typically lasting about 10 minutes. Depending on the draw and progress through the event, a team can race many times rather than waiting for one or two long fleet races.
That intensity rewards quick decisions and consistent teamwork. Sailors must balance their own position against what helps the whole team achieve the winning combination across the finish line.
A different racing skill set
Team racing develops boat handling, rules knowledge and communication in a very direct way. Because competitors interact closely, understanding right-of-way situations becomes part of tactical decision-making on almost every leg.
The format can also be highly social because teams train and review races together. Young sailors who usually compete individually or in pairs gain experience making decisions as part of a larger group.
Eric Twiname legacy
The championship forms part of the longstanding Eric Twiname programme supporting youth and junior sailing. The Eric Twiname Trust has helped generations of young sailors access competitive opportunities and development events.
For clubs and families, the Oxford weekend offers another route into competitive sailing beyond traditional fleet racing. Its short races and supplied boats create a distinctive event that rewards adaptability as much as outright speed.