British 420 Class Team 2025/2026

2025 / 2026 British 420 Class Team

The committee have received positive feedback from sailors, parents and coaches about once again running a Class Performance Group in parallel with the RYA Youth Squad for the 2025/2026 winter. However, we have decided to rebrand to avoid any confusion with the RYA Talent academy performance group,  the new name is the British 420 Class Team  and with be limited to 5 or 6 boats max

The coach for the class team this year is Will Martin and we plan to train alongside the BSYT at the same locations on the same weekends.   There will also be some optional opportunities to travel to internationals events as part of the class team,The structure of the British 420 Class Team is designed to take selected sailors who show the required aptitude, potential and Performance, develop and mould them to support the class endeavour to build world class sailors.  The program encompasses on water, online and classroom development looking at a skills-based matrix, sailing tactics, race strategy and fleet management as well as partnership communications, international event attendance and behaviour. The selected sailors train together under the same coach at each session with regular reviews online or in 1-2-1’s , including online sessions. Each session is linked to drive a natural pathway forward whilst maintaining look back check points driving towards continuous improvement in all areas of the sport

Draft dates are as follows.  It is likely there will be an additional  residential in Feb half term

• 4^th 5^th October WPNSA
• 22^nd 23^rd Nov Grafham
• 6^th 7^th Dec WPNSA
• 2^nd 4^th Jan WPNSA
• 17-18^th Jan TBC
• 7^th -8^th March Shoreham
  
  

Teams will also be expected to compete in the majority of class racing events over this period.   After the Youth Nationals at Easter, we will look at the Group and may consider running alongside the Youth Squad summer teams. 

You are likely to have already attended the RYA selection weekend on 6^th 7^th Sept, and we will be requesting feedback from this to help with any selection

If you would like to be part of this year’s British 420 Class Team please complete the Application form.  FORM

Policy can be found HERE

The key dates to be aware of:

• Applications to be submitted by Friday 26th September 2025 
• Selected boats notified by Wednesday 1st October 2025
• Boats will be required to accept / decline their place by 3^rdOctober 2025 and pay the full amount for training to confirm their place

The Class Open and Regional training will continue in addition to above and the class aims to provide high quality training;  Sailors still be split into groups based on ability/learnings for each training weekend.