RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series Round 2

by Matt Carter on 14 Apr 2013 WPNSA is set for second round of the RYA Spring Series this coming weekend (13-14 April) at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

The opening event of the three-weekend Series was based at the home of the 2012 Olympic sailing competition on 9-10 March and welcomed British Sailing Team Development and Transitional Squad members as well as young aspiring talents and regular Olympic classes sailors.

James Peters and Ed Fitzgerald, 2012 RYA Spring Series Champions, took the series lead at the opening event with four straight race wins in the 49er class, while 2012 470 Junior European silver medallists Mike Wood and Hugh Brayshaw also enjoyed a clean sweep of bullets to take pole position in the 470 men’s event heading into this weekend’s second event of the Series.

Anna Burnett and Flora Stewart take a two point lead over their 470 British Sailing Team counterparts Joanna Freeman/Katie Tomsett in the female 470 event while Harry Briddon leads the way in the heavyweight Finn class after two race wins back in March.

Following 11 race wins and the 2013 RYA Youth National title, Kieran Martin will be looking to build on his momentum from Scotland as he holds a slender one point lead over his RYA National Youth Squad teammate Joe Bennett in the RS:X 8.5 class, while the larger RS:X 9.5 class is topped by Ali Masters.

Last week’s Princess Sofia World Cup silver medallist Megan Pascoe leads the Paralympic 2.4mR standings ahead of Carol Dugdale in second and Craig Wood in third. With only one race in the SKUD 18 class in the opening event, London 2012 Olympic bronze medallists and four time class World champions Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell finished top ahead of John Robertson and Hannah Stodel who will be competing at this event in more familiar surroundings of the Sonar class.

Barrie Edgington, RYA Olympic Development Squad Manager, commented: 'The first weekend of the RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series witnessed some fantastic racing in what were a mix of challenging conditions at WPNSA. The younger Olympic classes talents which we have coming up through the British Sailing Team programme battled against some of the more seasoned international campaigners which was pleasing to see.'

'I’m looking forward to another great weekend of racing in this second instalment of the Spring Series which gives sailors the opportunity to really test themselves and to get some good competitive action under their belts. With grant and qualification places for the 2013 international events up for grabs there’s all to play for.'

The third and final event of the 2013 RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series will take place at Hayling Island Sailing Club on the 18-19 May.

The Notice of Race for this event can be found in the RYA Olympic Classes Handbook, which is available from the Crew Room section of the British Sailing Team website.