Double Double for Young Sailors from Draycote Water Sailing Club
by Jeremy Atkins 18 Aug 2024 12:35 PDT
Hari and Jess, National Champions from Draycote Academy © Katy Barraclough
Just over 150 young sailors competed last week in the Topper National Championships at the Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy - the sailing venue for the 2012 Olympic Games. They were divided into two classes, the Topper 5.3 class for larger / older sailors and the Topper 4.2 class for younger / smaller sailors.
Draycote Water Sailing Club sailors came top in both classes. Jess Powell, who had won the 5.3 National Championships last year, sailing in her last event in the Topper, repeated that win. Hari Clark, who won the Topper 4.2 World Championships last month, did the same at the National Championships.
Club President Jeremy Atkins said: "This unprecedented double, together and separately, reflects their commitment to be the best they can be, the support of their parents and the set-up at Draycote Water Sailing Club. Four years ago the club set up its Draycote Academy to train sailors to compete at a high level. Since then, it has generated two world championship and three national championship wins in the Topper class. Neither Jess nor Hari come from sailing families - they have learnt to sail at Draycote Water Sailing Club and now reached the top of their sport."
But their weeks could not have been more different. Hari started well, with only two results outside the top three in the first fourteen races to establish a commanding lead. But the final five races were more difficult with sixth being his best place. However, although his lead decreased, his work early in the week ensured that he stayed ahead.
Jess did the opposite with a relatively slow start, finishing the qualifying series in fourth place. But she won four of the seven races in the final series and never finished lower than fourth, giving her a massive lead in the end.
Jess, aged 14, was inspired to take up sailing by meeting the GBR Olympic sailors after the Rio Olympics. She said of her result, "It was a brilliant 6 days of sailing in a range of conditions. I won by 10 points with a race to spare, which is amazing. This was my last Topper event and it's great to finish on such a high. Thanks to everyone that's supported me."
Hari, aged 13, only took up sailing three years ago and started racing two years ago. He said of his golden summer, "I'm super proud of what I've achieved this summer and I'm grateful for all the support and coaching, especially from the Draycote Academy! Conditions at last week's National Championships became very windy, and as a smaller sailor this made my job difficult! A high level of fitness was important to win this 6-day event."
Overseeing the progress of both of them is Draycote Academy head coach Steve Irish. Steve commented, "These brilliant results for Jess and Hari are a testament to the hard work they put in training hard over the winter months and it's great to see that come to fruition with each of them achieving a national championship title."
William Whittaker, the Club's Commodore said, "We cannot be more proud of Jess and Hari and all our young sailors. They are true ambassadors of the Club and the sport both nationally and internationally. Sailing tends to be focused more on coastal clubs but we are showing that you can be the best in the heart of the Midlands, miles from the sea!"
Draycote Water Sailing Club is the Royal Yachting Association's Club of the Year in 2024, particularly for its support of young people's sailing.