Before the season kicks off on the water, the SAILING Champions League (SCL) will launch competition in eSailing format for the first time. Up to 228 clubs and players worldwide can compete against each other.

The eSAILING Champions League (eSCL) uses the well-known eSports provider “Virtual Regatta” for this purpose. Within the game, the organizers set up a regatta series that is strongly based on the real SAILING Champions League: There are three qualification rounds, from each of which the top 16 clubs move into a final series. The virtual class is J/70, which is also used in the SCL. The overall winning club of the series can call itself “eSAILING Champions League Winner”.

Jonathan Koch, fifth in the world rankings, wants to start for the Bodensee Yacht Club Überlingen. The nice part about virtual club sailing, he thinks, is being able to represent his club: “It makes sailors who might not otherwise have much to do with eSailing sit up and take notice,” he says happily. Koch sees the game as very tactical, just like in real sailing. “You shouldn’t just rely on the technical tools of the game. It’s important to sail the tacks dynamically, to bear away or luff up on the downwind. That’s when you realize that you can get a lot out of it,” he reveals one of his tips. He already proved that his tactics work in the eSailing Bundesliga in 2020: he was vice-champion.

Oliver Schwall, Managing Director of the SAILING Champions League, sees great potential in the series: “E-sports are becoming more and more popular. So it’s nice to see that sailing is also establishing itself in it.” He is already looking forward to the start of the eSCL.

Entry to the eSCL is open to all players worldwide who are members of a registered sailing club. Up to three eSailors can compete for each club. The SCL sailing competitions are not affected by the virtual format.

All dates:

• 1st Qualifier: Friday, 05 March 2021, start 6:00 p.m. CET
• 2nd Qualifier: Friday, 19 March 2021, start 6:00 p.m. CET
• 3rd Qualifier: Friday, April 02, 2021, start 6:00 p.m. CET
• Final: Sunday, April 11, 2021, start 2:00 p.m. CET

Sign up is done via the via the registration link. The final will be broadcast live by SailTracks. Spectators can follow the action live on YouTube, Facebook and the SCL website.

For more information on the eSAILING Champions League, visit sailing-championsleague.com.