Blustery squalls test youth racers at Toddbrook
With a strong Easterly wind, peppered by vicious gusts, and with overcast conditions combined with single figure temperatures throughout Saturday 19th April, the young sailors from Derbyshire Youth Sailing were severely tested by the conditions at Toddbrook Sailing Club, in the second event of the ten event DYS series for 2008.
Coming out on top after the three race event, but only just, was Alasdair Pears (16) of Carsington Sailing Club in his Laser 4.7 who was very closely followed by Ben Crossdale (14) of Ogston Sailing Club in his Laser full rig, who in turn was one ahead of Benjamin Haynes (12) of Carsington Sailing Club in his Optimist dinghy.
Alasdair, the two Ben’s and all of the 20 sailors at the event should be very proud of their determination to master the conditions on the water. The gathered parents, siblings and supporters as well as those passing by on the reservoir perimeter walk, all saw the sailors being put through their paces by the swirling gusts at almost all points of the race course. Race Officers for the day Ivan Washington and Richard Thorpe along with the rescue boat crews at the club near Whaley Bridge, ensured the safety of the competitors and provided an excellent racing sailing experience for the young sailors.
The first race saw the worst of the conditions and after just under an hour’s racing, Alasdair Pears came in first, followed by Ben Crossdale with Charis Richardson (15) of Trent Valley Sailing Club in her Topper dinghy in third. After a well earned lunch break, the second race saw Alasdair and Ben repeat their one – two, with Tommi Cluley (15) of Staunton Harold Sailing Club in his Laser 4.7 this time in third place. The final race of the day as the worst of the squalls eased, gave Ben Crossdale the chance to take a first place, beating Alasdair into second and third place went to Benjamin Haynes.
The Junior DYS series positions from the event gave the second event win to Joshua Haynes (9) of Carsington Sailing Club as he finished in overall 6th place in his Optimist dinghy and keeps him on course for retaining the series junior championship, but there is still a long way to go.
Ivan Washington of Toddbrook SC commented “We always look forward to welcoming the young sailors from around Derbyshire to enjoy a day’s racing at Toddbrook. The conditions for this year’s event were the most challenging for some years, as frequently at this time of year in previous years, the sun has shone and a fair breeze has provided very pleasant sailing. I am very impressed by the enthusiasm of the sailors and their skills in handling the challenges, especially the younger one’s.”
Some of the Toddbrook young sailors had only just returned from an Ocean Youth Trust sailing experience in Scotland after five days on board full size sailing yachts. They had insisted on getting back in time to be able to enter the DYS event and managed to compete in the second and third races of the day. Highest placed local sailor was Mark Russell (18) in 8th place overall with Ben Steel (15) in 9th and Josh Bennett (12) in 13th place.
So with the race results in, Ben Crossdale holds onto the series lead after two events. The full results for the event and the series are on the website www.dysailing.com along with photographs of the sailors in action.
The next Derbyshire Youth Sailing series event for 2008 is to be held at Errwood Sailing Club on Saturday 3rd May. Briefing is at 10:30 with the first race at 11:00 . Details and pre-event registration is available, along with lots more information, all on the www.dysailing.com website.