2014 Honda RYA Youth RIB Champions crowned + video

by Susie NationGrainger on 15 Sep 2014 Kamila Czartolomna (13) became the first girl in more than 10 years to be crowned a Honda RYA Youth RIB national champion when she and Jamie Paterson (10) claimed victory at the PSP Southampton Boat Show yesterday (14 September 2014).

In flat and sunny conditions, 28 of the UK’s most talented young RIB drivers showed great skill and speed at the throttle of the two Honda powered Highfield RIBS as they tackled the tricky championship course in front of a packed crowd.



In the 13-16 age group, West Midlands finalist Kamila (South Staffordshire Sailing Club) blasted her way to championship glory with a winning time of 1:04:10, just split seconds faster than Mark McDonough (Ballyholme Yacht Club) who finished in second place.

Kamila explains: 'The water was much calmer than it was last year and the year before. I was hoping to win today because I came second last year and I’ve been down at the club practicing almost every weekend so it feels great! I love the fact that this competition gives you something that you wouldn’t normally get to do.'

Flying the flag for Scotland was Jamie from Findhorn Marina who clinched the winner’s title in the 8-12 age group with an blistering time of 1:27:41, beating North East representative Ollie Pirt by seven whole seconds.

Jamie said: 'It feels crazy! I never thought I’d win it. Today was my first time competing and it was tough, when I saw other competitors have their go I didn’t think I had won'.

All competitors skilfully manoeuvred around the testing course, which included a slalom run, a 360O reverse around a buoy and a stop exercise.

Presenting the prizes were Phillip Crossman, MD at Honda UK, Steve Harrison from Highfield and RYA CEO Sarah Treseder. Jamie wins a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine for Findhorn Marina whilst Kamila wins a Highfield 460 RIB with a Honda BF50 for South Staffordshire Sailing Club.

After the prize giving it was back out on the water for the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship head to head showdown to compete for the perpetual Champion of Clubs trophy. Jamie faced Tom Rogers (10) who was representing 2013 champions Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

After two runs and two nail biting finishes, the scores were announced and Tom and the Royal Lymington Yacht Club were declared 2014 Honda RYA Youth RIB Champion of Club winners.

'Today’s competition has just been fantastic. The conditions have been perfect and the standard of talent out on the water is incredible, you could tell that all the competitors, no matter what time they achieved have really enjoyed themselves today' said Andrew Norton, RYA Powerboat Project Manager and Event Director.

'It’s brilliant to see more girls involved this year giving the boys a run for their money, and of course we now have another female national champion. We hope to see even more youngsters and new clubs getting involved and growing the competition in 2015.'

Phillip Crossman said: 'Honda have been associated with this competition for 13 years and the reason we became involved is because it’s our aim to encourage young people into boating, to be competitive and also to be to very safe. The young people here today have been through their club finals, regional finals and have performed in one of the biggest events in the UK-this national final. I wish them all congratulations.'

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is Britain’s leading programme introducing kids to powerboats and training them to be safe, proficient drivers and excellent boat handlers.

RIBs are light, manoeuvrable craft and the boats driven in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship can hit speeds of up to 25mph.

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Highfield. For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship visit RYA.