10 Nacra 15s set to compete at Pwllheli

Plas Heli Welsh National Sailing Academy © Plas Heli

Ten Nacra 15s will descend on the Welsh National Sailing Academy in Pwllheli this weekend to compete in the 2022 RYA Youth National Championships, with five days of racing set to take place from the 11th-15th April.

The 2022 event will see the biggest fleet the UK class has seen since its introduction in the UK in 2017, as the class continues to grow. The fleet will be made up of new sailors and new pairings, as well as several sailors returning having been away from the class for several years, with ages ranging from 13-20 years old!

• GBR 004 - William Homewood & Findlay Bignold-Kyles
  Having spent some time in the Nacra 15 in 2020, as well as in the 29er and F18, Will is joined by Fin, a former ILCA 4 and Optimist sailor; the Lymington-based duo racing in their first RYA Youth Nationals together.

• GBR 019 - Hector Bunclark & Alfie Cogger
  Two of the most experienced sailors in the fleet, Hector & Alfie return to the class each with several years of experience under their belt, including Alfie representing GBR at the Youth Sailing World Championships in 2021.

• GBR 074 - Ben Harris & Ella Harris
  Finishing 2nd at last year's event, 2021 UK National Championship-winning helm Ben returns for his sixth and final RYA Youth Nationals racing with his sister, Ella, who will be sailing the Nacra 15 for the very first time at the event!

• GBR 079 - Tom Jones & Max Dylan
  As our newest sailors to the fleet, Tom & Max will be competing in their first RYA Youth Nationals, having moved into the class at the start of 2022. We look forward to seeing them racing for the first time.

• GBR 126 - Julian Bosch & Tesni King
  Both with plenty of catamaran experience, in the Foiling A-Class and Hurricane classes respectively, Julian & Tesni will be racing the Nacra 15 for the first time, each having taken part in one of our taster sessions in 2021.

• GBR 129 - Albie Cutbill & Sophie Raven
  A new pairing for this season, Albie & Sophie both have plenty of experience in the Nacra 15, and have joined forces with high aspirations for the 2022 season, planning to race at the 2022 Nacra 15 European Championships at Carnac, France in just two weeks time.

• GBR 161 - Morgan Smith & Alex Hamel
  Having last sailed together in the Nacra 15 in 2020, @teamhamelsmith will be making their comeback at the 2022 event. It certainly won't be long before Morgan & Alex shift their mindset from Cape 31s and Fireflys to making a Nacra 15 go quickly!

• GBR 162 - Tara Scully & Jacques Scully
  With Tara having sailed the Nacra 15 since mid-2020, she is now joined by her brother, Jacques, having spent the winter getting to grips with crewing the Nacra 15 aged just 13.

• GBR 163 - Sam Steward & Isobel Smith
  Sam & Izzy paired up at the end of last year, both now with plenty of Nacra 15 experience, and looking to continue on the RYA Olympic pathway this year.

• GBR 184 - Jasmine Williams & Sam Cox
  Two-time Youth Sailing World Championship representative Jas will be aiming to make it a third selection this year, balancing training in the Nacra 17 as part of the new British Sailing Squad with racing in her final youth campaign alongside experienced ex-29er crew Sam.

The UK Nacra 15 Class Association is looking forward to a great week of racing at Pwllheli, with a promising forecast, and with more boats adding to the high-paced, action-packed racing throughout the week. Make sure to follow @nacra15gbr on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with all the action, and visit www.nacra15.co.uk to find out more about the World Sailing and British Youth Sailing youth multihull class!