Merlin Rocket Youth Championship 2024 at Itchenor Sailing Club

Close racing at the Merlin Rocket Youth Championship at Itchenor Sailing Club © Sophie Yeoman

James and Rory Gifford, Merlin Rocket Youth Champions © Freya Lillywhite

10 boats headed to Itchenor Sailing Club for the second year of the Merlin Youth Championships. It's not an easy boat to to own if you're under 25, so the youth champs is a great way see what young helms and crews can do, a lot of crews stealing their helms boat for the weekend.

The rules state the helm needs to be 25 and under to enter, and you can win the trophy if you also bring a young crew. Big thanks to Itchenor Sailing Club for organising a great weekend of racing and to Freya Lillywhite for organising from the Merlin Class. The biggest thanks has to go to the Merlin owners for lending their boats. The majority of the fleet were in borrowed boats and it's pretty awesome that these guys let us play in some nice toys.

The forecast for Saturday was slightly breezy but with the tide in and wind with tide we should all be ok (note there was some swimming by most). Rigging Merlins are difficult at the best of time but when you are unfamiliar with the particular Merlin it can be challenging. Although the biggest challenge seemed to be the ability to tie a bowline. No idea but I can see a new crews union challenge coming up. Tim Saxton ran the morning training which is really helpful when you are figuring out which string to pull. Thanks to Tim for helping out.

Following a bit of training the fleet had three races. The fleet was going to be in for a long day in 12 to 16 knots. Eight out of 10 boats made it through all three races. It is always interesting working out which side of the beat is going to pay. To be honest I never have a clue. Most of the fleet headed up the right shore but it was Josh Oates and Freya Hudson who went up the left and led from start to finish.

The fleet has a bit of a National 12 vibe and there are some good sibling rivalries. Ollie Meadowcroft after a good year in the fleet took the next two races with Anna Aylward although they definitely had challenges. In Maddy Anderson's boat they both realised that Tom and Maddy are super fit as the boat requires a lot of grunt. Also after five hours on the water Ollie forgetting food and water meant Anna was sharing snacks and drink.

Luckily for day two Ollie also borrowed gloves as his hands were pretty destroyed. Anna loved sailing with Ollie but is glad her usual helm James can look after himself. Last years winner James Gifford this year with his brother Rory had a great day out with two thirds and a fourth. Isobel Stewart coming from winning Burton week teamed up with Mary Henderson-White and was finding her feet and ended the day with a second and third. It was a very long day on the water but with some cracking sailing the fleet was ready for a good night.

We weren't sure what Sunday was going to bring, the forecast was a little mixed, Thankfully it was lighter than Saturday and all 10 boat ventured out. Again it was Josh and Freya who showed the fleet the way to go with a port tack flyer in the first race. Oilie and Anna carried on the same way that they finished yesterday as did Isobel and Mary. The Frensham pair of Rebecca Videlo and Megan Pascoe weren't far behind the top two and those three pairs took the podium places for the day.

The fight was on for the top youth spot with the Gifford boys hanging in there. Zoe Meadowcroft and Robbie Stewart were chasing hard being very quick all day. Happy Birthday to Robbie as well. James and Rory held onto fourth overall to take the Youth Championships. These events are a great way of introducing new youngsters to the boat but also to show what these young guys can do in the boats. In two weeks the fleet is heading to Parkstone for the Women's Championships and entries are still open! Enter here.

Overall Results: