(RYA Press Release - For more information: www.rya.org.uk)

Entries are now open for the 2009 RYA National Match Racing Championships Series.

Seven qualifying rounds, including the RYA Youth, RYA Women’s and BUSA Match Racing Championship events, will be contested between April and September before the top British crews from each event are invited to go head-to-head at the Series Grand Final at Queen Mary SC in October.

Last year, Mark Campbell-James jumped to joint second on the all-time winners list after claiming his third RYA National Match Racing crown on the 20th anniversary of the trophy being awarded.

The 2009 Championships will be contested in the RYA’s fleet of J80s with a maximum of 12 skippers accepted for each of the qualifying events. All events are open to enter, except the BUSA Match Racing Finals and the Series Grand Final which are invitation only.

For more information and to download entry forms visit www.rya.org.uk and click on ‘Yacht Racing’ then follow the Match Racing links to the National Match Racing Series section.

2009 RYA National Match Racing Championships Series event dates:

1. BUSA Match Racing Finals – Queen Mary SC (QMSA) – 4 / 5 April (invitation only)
2. Qualifier 1 – QMSC - 25/26 April
3. Qualifier 2 – QMSC - 23/24 May
4. Qualifier 3 – Port of Plymouth Sailing Association (PPSA) - 19/20 July
5. RYA Youth National Match Racing Championship – QMSC – 29 - 31 August
6. RYA Women’s National Match Racing Championship – QMSC – 4 - 6 September
7. Qualifier 4 – QMSC - 26/27 September
8. RYA National Match Racing Championship Finals – QMSC – 9 – 11 October (invitation only)