Thames Valley Challenge at Burghfield

Seven Youth and Juniors went to Burghfield SC on Saturday to take part in the Thames Valley Challenge which is a team racing event in Fevas, competing against 11 other teams from local sailing clubs, including Burghfield, Upper Thames, Goring, Maidenhead, and Claire’s Court.  The weather was fine and sunny and blowing fresh 9-11 mph wind from the East.  This year’s Reading team was missing some of the older hands from previous years, and included some younger (and lighter!) newbies which given the wind conditions did present some challenges for them during the gusts.

Anyway they sailed 11 races winning 8 of them and finished joint second, with only the tie-break putting them into 3rd place. This one of the highest positions that Reading has achieved over the last couple of years in this competition and a great result for them. Testament to some awesome sailing by all of them.  So well done Ben, Bea, Phoebe, Rhys, Oliver, Thomas and Kate !

Thanks also go to Karen and Hugh for giving up their Saturday to coach the team and for Paul R for his umpiring duties during the event, and of course for Burghfield for laying on such a great day. In total a full round of 66 races were sailed which is quiet an achievement of organisation.