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Virtual Regatta Esailing Game Gets Olympic Class Regatta Sites

31st March 2020
Virtual Regatta Esailing Game Gets Olympic Class Regatta Sites

World Sailing, the International Federation for the sport, and Virtual Regatta, the world-leading digital sailing platform, have launched several iconic Olympic class regattas in the eSailing world.

Regattas around the globe have been cancelled or postponed due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic - but eSailors will now be able to compete at some of the world's best-known sailing events online.

These events include:

  • Trofeo Princesa Sofia
  • World Cup Series, Genoa
  • Kiel Week

eSailors can compete at Trofeo Princesa Sofia on Virtual Regatta from yesterday (Monday 30 March until 3rd April), at the World Cup Series, Genoa from 11th – 18th April, and at Kiel Week from 20th – 28th June, while other events will be launched at a later date.

Both World Sailing and Virtual Regatta have worked closely with each regatta to recreate each one as a virtual racecourse, available for eSailors all over the world to take part in.

In the current climate, it's more important than ever for us to feel connected with the rest of the sailing community. Making these world-famous Olympic class events accessible to everyone online gives us the chance to engage sailors of all ages and backgrounds, allowing all involved to continue to share their passion for the sport.

Recently there has been a huge increase in active daily users on Virtual Regatta Inshore, rising from 5,000 at the start of the year to around 18,000-20,000 and peaking at 25,000 this week.

At each regatta, the 49er and the Nacra 17 will be available for players to race at virtual replications of these real-life sailing venues.

The first few days of each event launch will consist of challenges. Ranked Medal Races will take place over the final two days, open to all players – no qualification for these races is necessary, but results will count towards World and National rankings for eSailors!

Additionally, Hempel World Cup Series Genoa will qualify as a 'blue challenge,' meaning the opening challenges will also count towards the official eSailing World Championship ranking.

These Medal Races for these challenges will also provide an opportunity for two eSailors (one from the 49er and one from the Nacra) to qualify for the eSailing World Championship Playoffs.This will give eSailors a chance at qualifying to the Live Final, where the 2020 eSailing World Champion will be crowned.

Existing eSailors and new players are invited to compete in these classic regattas for free from today!

The first challenge is available now and can be played on Virtual Regatta Inshore on Desktop – iOS – Android.

Published in World Sailing
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World Sailing Information

World Sailing is the world governing body for the sport of sailing, officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Founded in 1907, World Sailing's vision is for a world in which millions more people fall in love with sailing; inspired by the unique relationship between sport, technology and the forces of nature; we all work to protect the waters of the world.

World Sailing is made up of 144 Member National Authorities, the national governing bodies for sailing around the world and 117 World Sailing Class Associations.