2024 RS Elite Newsletter - Season Preparation

01 February 2024

The new season is rapidly approaching so please do read this newsletter and share with your crews as it is packed full of information for the year ahead.  We would like to encourage as wide a membership as possible, not only to help keep the association running smoothly but also to improve communication – if sailors are members, it much easier to keep in touch! 

1) Membership renewals
It is time to renew memberships which can be done on the RSElite.org by pressing "Join" on the home page. At the AGM it was agreed to increase membership fees by £10 per person to support the work of the Association which is working hard to deliver a programme of events, training opportunities and to maintain the website. Please can you renew by March 31st, 2024. There are two options for payment select “one-off payment” which will then process a "one-off"direct debit on Go Cardless

 2) Event Programme

See website Events page for more details.
The season commences with RS Anniversary Regatta which features two days of racing combined with an exciting social programme on Friday and Saturday evening and a great chance to catch up with many old RS sailing friends. 
Next up is the Zhik RS Elite Southern Championships at HISC, the weekend preceding the Nationals. Do contact Jo Hewitson if you need accommodation as members have offered to host guests, or we can put you in touch with local Air BnB’s or contact HISC for accommodation at the club. See the website for details. 
The following week the Zhik RS Elite UK National Championship commences at the Royal Southern Yacht Club. For those competing at the Southern it takes about 3 hours to sail from HISC to RSYC or 45 minutes by road.
The NOR are published by Royal Southern YC & can be accessed on above link.
We have a great social programme lined up and a top class race team lead by Stuart Childerly. All this and the beautiful yacht club as the backdrop, will surely make this a 'must do' event for 2024.

If you have any event queries or need advice then please contact Debbie Jarvis who is the RS Elite National Championship Secretary.

 3) Norwegian International Challenge 2nd - 4th August 2024

 This is a wonderful opportunity for all Elite sailors to experience the hospitality of the Norwegian RS Elite fleet and to enjoy some fun competitive racing in sheltered waters at the height of the Norwegian summer. For those of you who are not aware, we had 2 Norwegian entries in the 2022 International Grand Prix at the Royal Yacht Squadron, and this invitation is as a result of a return challenge from Tonsberg Sailing Club. 

Helms and crews can enter individually and so there is no worry about owning your own Elite or having to get your own team together. Non sailors are also welcome to come and enjoy the hospitality and local area.

Entrants will need to book their accommodation and flights as soon as possible. A discount has been arranged at a local hotel. Fly to Oslo, Gardermoen where there is a direct train or car hire available. Full details are on the RS Elite website.

To enable the organisers to arrange teams for individuals or couples attending it is very important that deposits are made by 28^th February. Then the organisers will work with entrants to agree teams.

Discounted accommodation has been arranged in a local hotel.

 Booze is expensive in Norway but is cheaper at the sailing club and we are permitted to bring our own duty free ðY~S.

We would ask all recipients of this Newsletter to extend the invitation to their helms and crews as it is difficult for the Committee to reach everyone.

4) Irish National Championships :  to follow.