Great Britain’s Junior sailors and windsurfers have just 10 days to hone their skills in preparation for the ‘Battle of the Zones’ which take place across nine different venues throughout the United Kingdom on the weekend of the 29-30 September 2012.

The event is the RYA Regional Championship for each Zone and is aimed at sailors in local clubs under the age of 16 who are racing in the RYA pathway classes, which includes the BiC Techno board.

It is a great first-time event for club sailors, giving them the opportunity to get a real feel of a Championship atmosphere. It is also a key event for any young sailor wishing to be selected for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads.

Each one of the nine venues used are renowned for staging major events and will provide the young sailors with the perfect setting to develop their sailing skills and racing ability whilst under the watchful eye of the RYA High Performance Managers and coaches.

Racing takes place across the nine RYA recognised Junior dinghy and windsurfing classes including the Mirror, Optimist, Topper, RS Feva, Cadets and the windsurfers on the Bic Techno using the open 4.5, and 5.8 rigs, and the Techno 6.8s and Techno 7.8s – classes vary according to each venue.

Competitors are urged to submit their entries, together with the entry fee, online atwww.ryaracingevents.org.uk before 23 September 2012. Due to safety considerations and the size and complexity of the event, entries after this date cannot be accepted. RYA organisers are urging athletes to confirm their attendance and submit their online entry promptly to avoid disappointment.

In addition to the RYA High Performance Managers, sailors will have the chance to showcase their talents in front of Skandia Team GBR and Team Volvo for Life sailors.

Chris Atherton, RYA High Performance Manager, said: “This event is a fantastic Regional Championship and the perfect opportunity for sailors to experience what a multi-class regatta is like. It will provide an ideal platform for the sailors to learn and develop in a competitive arena as well as giving them the chance to rub shoulders with our 2012 sailing heroes.”

The 2012 RYA Volvo Zone and Home Countries Championships will be staged at the following venues:

The RYA Volvo South Zone Championships
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Dorset

The RYA Volvo South West Zone Championships
Chew Valley Sailing Club, Bristol

The RYA Volvo South East Zone Championships
Weir Wood Sailing Club, East Sussex

The RYA Volvo East Zone Championships
Alton Water Sailing Club, Suffolk

The RYA Volvo West Zone Championships
Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club, Greater Manchester

The RYA Volvo North Zone Championships
Rutland Sailing Club, Rutland

Volvo Welsh Youth & Junior Championships
New Quay Sailing Club, Ceredigion

RYA Scotland Volvo Youth and Junior Championships Largs Sailing Club, Largs

RYANI Volvo Youth Championships and NI Schools Cup In association with McCready Sailboats
Ballyholme Yacht Club, Co Down

All sailors wishing to be considered for a National Junior Squad OR a Zone Squad place are requested to complete an online application form. This can be found atwww.ryaracingevents.org.uk by following the links to Junior Squad applications.