West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association Annual Regatta

Beth Wilkinson achieved second place in the Slow Handicap Fleet (West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association Annual Regatta 2015) © Bill Brooks

Mitchell Campbell was third in the fast Handicap Fleet (West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association Annual Regatta 2015) © Bill Brooks

Felpham cadets are West Sussex County Champions again!

Once again, for the seventh time in eight years, Felpham Sailing Club cadets are the top dinghy racing team in the County of West Sussex. Over 114 children in 89 dinghies raced in three fleets at the West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association annual Regatta. Competition for places was tough, but the Felpham youngsters showed their dominance in all three fleets.

With points being scored for the top five placed sailors in the three fleets, Felpham SC were clear team winners with 46 points. Crawley Mariners YC were second with 197 and Arun Youth Aqua Centre a close third with 202 points. Teams from Arun YC, Dell Quay SC, Sussex YC and Pagham Lagoon Sailing also entered.

The rain stayed away and the winds were kind to the young sailors over the two day event. Sea sailing can be challenging for inland sailors but with the northerly winds promising a flat sea, shifting winds, and gentle neap tides, the inland teams were potentially favoured. However the home club sailors demonstrated their mastery. Around midday on Sunday a sea breeze kicked in turning the wind through 180 degrees and there were some waves and stronger wind for all to enjoy.

Tom Rusbridge (National Race Officer) set a variety of courses to test the sailors, and the youngsters demonstrated their knowledge of the flag signals and race instructions in sailing the right course each time. Dave Cockerill (Race Coach) gave instruction to all who wanted to listen prior to each day's racing and then gave video debriefing after each session. In a special amendment to the Rules of Sailing, coaching was permitted during racing to those at the back of the fleet enabling them to keep closer to the hot shots!

In the Fast Handicap Fleet Daniel Gibson (Crawley Mariners) showed excellent form scoring three wins in the six race series to hold top place on 8 points. Showing a high level of sailing skill, Daniel was racing an RS Aero 7 having only started sailing the dinghy less than two weeks before competing. He was closely followed by Ed Gerwat (Felpham SC) who was showing consistent form in his dad's Laser never scoring less than a third place to finish on 10 points. Mitchell Campbell (Felpham SC) racing his Solution was third on 14.5 points. Phoebe Noble(Dell Quay SC) was awarded the best placed female sailor in her Laser Radial in fifth place.

Alex Mayger (Felpham SC) once again showed dominant form repeating his perfect score at Chichester Harbour Week by recording five bullets in his Laser 4.7 to take top place in the Slow Handicap Fleet. Felpham took five of the top six places with Beth Wilkinson (13pts) and Sophie Bentley (14pts) showing consistent form behind Alex ahead of Tom and Amelia Simpson (RS Feva), Shaun Kerrigan from Arun YC in his Laser 4.7 and Sam Atherton with James Hurren in the Topaz Vibe.

The Topper fleet was very close at the top with the top two tied on 12 points; Frankie Jolly took first on count back from Alfie Lester. With just one point more, Liam Gray took third. All three sailors were from Felpham SC. Erin Aldis-Hobbs (Felpham SC) was awarded best placed female Topper sailor for her seventh place.

West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association Annual Regatta 2015 - photo © Bill Brooks

The organisation of the Regatta was a significant team effort with seven safety boats, many of which had been supplied by visiting clubs. A big kitchen team sold out on bacon butties and the huge parental beach team made swift work of recovery at the close of racing. Thank you to all who helped.

Fast Fleet Results:

Daniel Gibson (Crawley Mariners) was first in the Fast Handicap Fleet (West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association Annual Regatta 2015) - photo © Bill Brooks

Slow Fleet Results:

Alex Mayger relaxes after taking first place in the Slow Handicap Fleet (West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association Annual Regatta 2015) - photo © Bill Brooks

Topper Fleet Results:

Alice Serna racing in the West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association Annual Regatta 2015 - photo © Bill Brooks