In 2012 the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, to be held over the weekend of 3rd & 4th March, will have an added attraction in the form of a virtual regatta! The regatta, powered by the inshore sailboat racing and training game SailX.com, will be open to all and will be run over seven weeks in the lead up to the event, culminating with Finals at the dinghy show on the Volvo Main Stage!

Of course a computer game could never test all of the myriad of skills involved in sailboat racing, but as a high-performance rules and strategy-based racing game, SailX does offer an interesting insight into who really has the best understanding of these fascinating and vital areas of our sport. On top of this, given the importance of these mental aspects, SailX also provides sailors with a great platform to shout about what makes the sport so special and to engage new people in sailing’s fascinating gameplay.

In an exciting development, the famous Endeavour Trophy will also be associated with this event, with the winning Class being awarded the “2012 RYA Volvo Dinghy Show Championship Trophy” and the winning individual being awarded with the “2012 Virtual Endeavour Trophy”. The Endeavour Trophy, a fine silver replica of the J Class Endeavour donated by Beecher Moore in 1934 which has been awarded to the “Champion of Champions” of the British dinghy world almost every year since then, will also be on display at the show. Interestingly the virtual nature of this regatta will help the Endeavour Championship to broaden its reach beyond the thirty or so Classes which can physically be accommodated in the real-world event and it will give all Classes an equal chance to present the quality and depth of sailing talent in their fleets.

But most importantly perhaps, SailX will help every sailor competing in this regatta to emerge out the far side of the competition ‘hot’ and more ready to race than they have ever been after the cold of British winter! Let the competition begin!

For more information go to www.sailx.com/ryavolvodinghyshow