Derbyshire Youth Sailors Inspired by Ellen MacArthur
By Mike Haynes - Derbyshire Youth Sailing
Ellen MacArthur who is the first Honorary Life Member of Derbyshire Youth Sailing is continuing to provide keen inspiration to the young sailors of Derbyshire. Ellen’s recent attempt on the West East Solo Transatlantic record and her tremendous successes in the Vendee Globe and Route de Rhum show that even though Derbyshire is a land-locked County, this doesn’t stop it from producing world beating sailors. Ellen is currently testing and preparing the trimaran Castorama B&Q for her attempt on the Solo Circumnavigation World Record.
Derbyshire Youth Sailors under the age of 18 compete in a ten event series between April and October each year around the County, in single and double handed dinghies. The events are held on Saturday’s at each of the ten sailing clubs that partner together to allow the youth to have free membership rights at the clubs. Derbyshire Youth Sailors also compete at National Schools Sailing Association annual regatta events.
Membership of DYS is free to sailors who go to school in Derbyshire or are a member of one of the Derbyshire clubs.
Ellen has recently agreed to donate items to DYS to help raise funds in an auction for youth sailing at the forthcoming Sportsman’s Dinner on 21st October at Derby County’s Pride Park Toyota Suite. Contact DYS via the website www.dysailing.com for more information.
Derbyshire Youth Sailing Chairman, Roger Britton states “We know that the inspiration Ellen provides to young sailors is considerable. Her astonishing feats are awe inspiring to sailors of every age and we are incredibly proud that Ellen has accepted Honorary Life Membership of DYS.”
Ellen’s press office commented “Ellen is delighted that DYS exists to give Derbyshire’s youth sailors the opportunity to sail competitively. Ellen sailed as a youngster at Ogston reservoir, one of the DYS series venues, and now faces steeper challenges in the world’s oceans using skills she first learned as a young sailor.”