11/12th October – Youth and Juniors

Four of the Youth and Juniors took part in the Junior Competition at the Eric Twiname Team Racing Championships over the weekend of 11/12th October.

Teams from around the country descended on Oxford Sailing Club for what was supposed to be two days of exciting and competitive team racing action. The Junior competition is raced in the RS Feva with each team having two boats per team. Boats are provided and teams change in and out of boats throughout the weekend while following a schedule of races which will ultimately determine the winners.

Unfortunately the weather did not play the game! Saturday was spent sitting on the side of the reservoir waiting for the wind. An attempt was made at racing but was abandoned after only 6 races being sailed, unfortunately none of which included the Reading Team.

Optimistic for Sunday we all arrived bright and early to be greeted with fog! Another morning sitting on the side of the reservoir but this time the girls were prepared and had bought their homework with them, the boys were glued to their phones but it definitely wasn’t homework they were doing!

Finally with much excitement the fog cleared and soon after, around midday, the wind filled in and racing commenced. Another 54 races were completed before 4pm each team participating in 6 races.

Dubious umpire decisions (according to one of the helms) and races against some of the top teams were a challenge for the Reading sailors but they sailed extremely well and were in with a chance in all of their races. They took the win against Seaford Blue with a 1,2 and also had a 1,4 against Derbyshire which although a loss was a great achievement.

Well done to the team – Will, Ilya, Phoebe and Molly and thanks to the parents and Karen for supporting them at the event.