The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has responded to a UK Sport Funding announcement for sailing, which will underpin the sport's World Class Programme there for the 2017-2020 Olympic cycle.
As a multi medal-winning sport for the fifth consecutive Olympic Games and top nation at the Rio 2016 Olympic sailing competition, the UK sport has been granted 'Band 1' status and £26.231 million to support its performance efforts towards Tokyo 2020.
In the Rio cycle, Belfast–based Olympians in the 49er class, Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern, from Ballyholme Yacht Club, benefitted from RYA Northern Ireland funding as well as Sport Ireland funding from the Irish Government. The pair have now split and are both pursuing separate skiff campaigns for Tokyo.
"We're proud that sailing once again delivered against its medal targets and contributed towards a hugely successful British performance at Rio 2016 which captivated the nation and inspired a new wave of aspiring young athletes and sailors," said RYA Performance Director John Derbyshire.
With sailing not currently on the Paralympic Games programme for Tokyo 2020, the sport is not eligible to receive a World Class Programme Paralympic funding award. The RYA will, however, continue to invest strategically in racing at selected Sailability and regional High Performance Clubs with the aim of developing racing participation and supporting World Sailing towards having the sport reinstated for the 2024 cycle.