Derbyshire Youth Sailing meets Dame Ellen MacArthur

When Dame Ellen MacArthur came to the B&Q store in Kingsway, Derby on 21st April she was met by 14 Derbyshire Youth sailors all keen to ask her questions and to greet their hero.  This was Ellen’s first public appearance in Derbyshire, where she grew up, since having circumnavigated the world solo on board the tri-maran B & Q in a record-breaking 71 days 14 hours 18 minutes and 33 seconds.

 

Derbyshire Youth Sailing had been invited to have some time with Ellen before the public appearance so that the youth sailors would have the opportunity to chat with her alone.  There was also time for a photo call and press interviews and the youth sailors enjoyed being asked about their own sailing and about meeting Ellen and what she meant to them.  Ellen is the only honorary life member of Derbyshire Youth Sailing.

 

Ellen received one or two gifts from the sailors and a Derbyshire Youth Sailing sweatshirt – size small.  The sailors had also brought with them buoyancy aids, T shirts, books and caps all of which Ellen was pleased to autograph.  Ellen also added to her signature on the Derbyshire Youth Sailing banner and the message reads ‘To everyone @ Derbyshire Youth Sailing – Go For It!’.  Ellen had first signed the banner in London earlier this year.

 

Derbyshire Youth Sailing Series Champion for 2004, Louis Saunders (17) from Combs SC said “This has been a fantastic opportunity.  Ellen is a true inspiration to all of us and she has been very kind to take the time to meet us all”.

 

Rocky Banks (13) from CarsingtonSC commented “She was really nice actually, she’s really friendly”.

 

Anna Blagden (13) also from CarsingtonSC noted about Ellen’s view on her circumnavigation “Ellen said it was just like being at home but there was no-one else there and you just talk to yourself”.

 

Benjamin Haynes (9) from Trent ValleySC boldly stated “I would really like to do what she’s done, it’s just really inspiring”.

 

Youth sailors can join DYS for FREE via the website www.dysailing.com and also register for events online and find out loads more about youth sailing in Derbyshire.  There are links to the websites for each of the ten sailing clubs in Derbyshire as well as other useful sites like Team Ellen and the Ellen MacArthur Trust – Ellen’s own charity which gives children affected by cancer and leukaemia the chance to experience sailing.