North East Youth at Newbiggin by the Sea Sailing Club
by Barbara Darling 19 Jul 2005 15:54 BST
16 July 2005
Trident-UK North East Youth Travellers Series
The final of this series was held at Newbiggin by the Sea on Sat July 16th. Twenty-four sailors went afloat in light almost drifting conditions and an out going tide.
It was immediately obvious that Phil Richardson, South Shields SC was very determined to retain his trophy and he created a huge lead, lapping all boats.
Michael Matthews, Sunderland in his Topper was convincing too, lapping the rest of the Toppers. Lower down the fleet Rosie Riley and Sarah Kincaid, both from Tynemouth, with Callum Dyne and Harrison Dunn of Newbiggin were having a good race.
Six sailors from Coquet Shore Base, newcomers to the racing scene, made an impressive start.
After lunch the wind picked up, Richardson shot away, Bruce Carnaby crewed by Sarah Birch from Newbiggin in a 420 sailed consistently and finished second with Luke McGill in a Topper from Sunderland an excellent third.
The third race had the wind really freshening and the tide on the turn, all extra things to think about.
Thomas Steavenson went out to win! He created a big in the Topper fleet but didn’t quite beat Phil in the Laser. Luke stayed ahead of Michael with Graham Birch and Aidan Dyne from Newbiggin in hot pursuit.
Overall Results:
1st Phil Richardson (South Shields) Laser
2nd Bruce Carnaby & Sarah Birch (Newbiggin) 420
3rd Thomas Steavenson (Tynemouth) Topper
4th Luke McGill (Sunderland) Topper
5th Michael Matthews (Sunderland) Topper
6th Graham Birch (Newbiggin) Topper
The number of Series qualifiers this year was lower than normal, mainly because of the considerable activity in the North East and involvement in the Tall Ships Races. Many young sailors are already away racing these monster sailing boats to the Tyne after intensive training over the last few months in survival, radio and other techniques.
Trident-UK provided generous prizes and continues to give support to the Series.
NEYTS Overall Results:
1st Phil Richardson (SSSC) Laser
2nd Michael Matthews (SYC) Topper
3rd Luke McGill (SYC) Topper
4th Thomas Steavenson (TSC) Topper