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Derbyshire Youth Sailing series championships are decided

24 October 2008

Two of the three series champions were already assured of their places at the top of their age group before the final round such was their success in previous events.

However, there was still plenty of friendly rivalry to be had among the competitors seeking to improve their placing in the overall competition and of course there was still one of the championships to be decided.

The Senior age group (school year 10 and above) and overall Series Champion had been secured by Ben Crossdale (15) from Ogston Sailing Club in his Laser dinghy. Ben had attended all ten of the series events and had secured an impressive string of results with no worse placing than 6th overall showing the consistency of his sailing performance. He had an unassailable lead over second placed sailor, Jenny Saunders (17) of Staunton Harold Sailing Club and third placed Harry Levick (16) of Carsington Sailing Club both in Laser dinghies.

The Junior age group (up to school year 6) Series Champion and winner of the Ellen MacArthur trophy for the second consecutive year was Joshua Haynes (10) from Carsington Sailing Club in his Optimist dinghy. Joshua had attended seven of the series events and had been the highest placed Junior at each event he competed in.

It was in the Intermediate age group (school years 7 to 9 inclusive) where the Series Championship was still to be decided by the outcome of the final event of the series. Callum Lambourn (13) of Swarkestone Sailing Club was just two points ahead of rival Ben Haynes (13) of Carsington Sailing Club both in their Optimist dinghies.

The racing commenced with sunshine, blue skies and a moderate breeze that remained for the day under the watchful eye of Race Officer and former Derbyshire Youth Sailor, Charlotte Hadden (19) of Swarkestone Sailing Club. After the first race it was an early success for Ben Haynes showing his intent to challenge for the undecided title. Alice Woodings (13) of Carsington Sailing Club was second in her Topper dinghy and Ben Crossdale continued his good form with third place.

Following lunch, the next two races were sailed without a shore based break and Callum Lambourn responded to the challenge laid down by winning the second race, followed by Harry Levick in second and Ben Brown (13) of Staunton Harold Sailing Club in third place in his Optimist dinghy.

This meant that the Intermediate age group championship hung on the final race of the series and it could not have been closer. Joshua Haynes achieved a commanding victory in the final race with Ben Brown second and Harry Levick third. Ben Haynes managed to just get ahead of Callum Lambourn in the last stages of the race and was only placed fourth equal ahead of Callum’s sixth place. However, it was just enough for the two sailors to end the series on equal total points but with Ben (pictured) taking the Championship with the benefit of count back.

Ben Brown concluded his series with the Swarkestone event win followed by Harry Levick and with Ben Haynes in third.

David Levick, DYS Chairman, commented “What an excellent way for the series to draw to a close. The weather was perfect and the sailing was top quality. It is clear from the delighted expressions on the sailors faces that they have enjoyed a wonderful day’s racing. It is the first time that we have had the Intermediate age group as a discrete championship and it provided a tense conclusion for all to enjoy, spectators and sailors alike. We are delighted for everyone who has taken part in the 2008 series and especially for all three of the series champions and those on the podiums, who will each receive chandlery cash token prizes to spend as they wish.”

The Derbyshire Youth Sailing 2009 series will commence in April next year but the county youth sailors have the opportunity of training events being organised at Burton Sailing Club over the winter, when they will work hard to improve their sailing and come back next year to challenge for the series championships once more.

Derbyshire Youth Sailing is an organisation that brings together youth sailors aged up to 18 who are from ten Derbyshire Sailing Clubs. DYS is affiliated to the National Schools Sailing Association. DYS stages a series of ten racing sailing events between April and October as well as other special events and training all year round and at venues throughout Derbyshire. Membership of DYS is free for sailors who go to school in Derbyshire or are members of a Derbyshire sailing club.

Sailors should be at least capable of sailing a simple triangular course in order to enter Derbyshire Youth Sailing events. So young sailors of Derbyshire should get themselves afloat, have a little bit of training at their local club and then come and join in the fun of competing in the sailing racing events.