The RYA has issued a call for all owners and skippers interested in trying out for Rolex Commodore’s Cup 2002 selection to gather at the Royal Thames Yacht Club at 6.30pm on 29 January. Representation is limited to two per boat and the meeting will discuss the conditions and schedule for the RYA Selection Trials for the Rolex Commodore’s Cup 2002.

The aim of this process is to select a maximum of two three-boat teams from England to participate in this event, founded in 1992 and contested biannually. Eligibility is defined by the following parameters:boats must have a valid IRC (endorsed) certificate 2002 with a TCC between 1.000-1.325each team may have only one boat with a TCC between 1.200-1.325SSS (Stability and Safety Screening) Numeral of 20 or moreDLR (Displacement Length Ratio) not exceeding 200-as printed on each boats IRC (Endorsed) certificateAlso, the competing crews must be at least 50 percent (rounded down) amateur under the ISAF Competitor Classification Code, and professionals are barred from helming during the inshore races and at the start of the offshore races.

Among the four selectors responsible for choosing the English teams are Iain Macdonald-Smith (Chairman) – a veteran of ten Admiral’s Cup campaigns, a former Admiral’s Cup and Commodore’s Cup selector and a member of the RYA keelboat Committee, Dave Atkinson – Rear Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, and John Derbyshire – RYA Racing Manager and GBR Olympic Team Manager for Sydney 2000. One more selector has yet to be named.

If you would like to take part but you can’t make 29 January, contact suzie.creak@rya.org.uk or call on 023 8062 7437.