NW Junior and Youth Travellers at Ullswater Yacht Club
by Sue Giles 20 May 2014 06:35 AEST
17 May 2014
Oliver Davenport, Youth fleet winner during the NW Junior travellers at Ullswater © Christian Barnes
Sailing stars of the future enjoyed a day of exciting racing at Ullswater Yacht Club on May 17 for the NW Junior and Youth Travellers event.
Twenty-eight youngsters from all over the region took part in the day of racing, part of the ten-event travellers series. And they really displayed their sailing skills, completing three tough races in gusty and strong South-westerly winds and bright sunshine, showing Cumbria's most beautiful lake at its very best.
There were 24 entries for the junior fleet, sailing eight different classes of boat and the winners were Mirror sailors Robert Richardson and Abi Thornley from Royal Windermere Yacht Club, in a Mirror. They sailed confidently throughout the event in the challenging conditions, taking two firsts and a second.
Rebecca Bryant and Isla Harper from Annandale Sailing club also coped superbly in the difficult winds, counting a first and a second on handicap to take second place.
Third was Topper sailor Sam Cooper of West Lancashire Yacht Club, who was first of the ten Toppers in every race.
In the youth fleet, there were three Laser Radials with Oliver Davenport of Redesmere Sailing Club winning all three races and Eloise Clapson McBride of Leigh and Lotwon Sailing Club was first Optimist.
But the real winners were all the competitors and Race Officer for the event Rick Boyce was full of praise for the way the young sailors coped with the difficult conditions.
"Every entrant should feel proud of themselves that they managed to take part and the standard of sailing was excellent. I am sure that we have seen some real sailing stars of the future and I am delighted the competitors, and their families, got to see Ullswater at its best - great sailing in stunning surroundings."
The next event in the NW Travellers series is at West Lancashire SC on May 31 and Ullswater Yacht Club welcomes the Topper fleet back for their Northern Championships on June 14 and 15.
For full results visit the club website at www.ullswateryachtclub.org