3rd July

Two youth teams entered the Thames Valley Challenge on Saturday, a beginner event organised by local clubs to promote team racing and give young sailors their first experience of sailing events in a friendly environment. Team racing isn’t just about sailing fast, boats have to work together to make sure that they cross the line ahead of the other team. Our teams had been practicing their skills in Feva’s during their Monday Evening Training Sessions.

Maidenhead Lake was the venue for this event, a small bit of water, with a tendency for wind shifts. This proved to be the case during the whole event, our teams struggled with the wind shifts during the morning, but showed incredible perseverance and put down some great results during the afternoon.

Reading Port, Helmed by Eliza & Emily, with crews of Alex & Molly. Whilst Reading Starboard was Helmed by Phoebe & Archie, with crews of Fergus & Ilya.

The first race of the day saw both teams head to head against each other, with Reading Starboard the overall victors.

A mixed set of results throughout the day, with some great 1/2 finishes from both teams.

Reading Port finished 9th overall, with Reading Starboard just behind in 10th, out of 16 teams.

This is a great first event for these competitors and provides a stepping stone up to other events. Reading sailors that have previously sailed in this event have gone on to race across the country in University Team Racing.

Congratulations to the competitors on their hard earned result in the challenging conditions. Thank you to all the supporters who turned up on the day & for Karen and Hugh for managing both teams.

A big thank you to Claire’s Court School & Maidenhead Sailing Club for hosting this great event.