Winners crowned at Eric Twiname Junior Championships
by Will Carson, RYA 7 May 2018 18:42 BST
5-7 May 2018
The 32nd Eric Twiname Junior Championship concluded on Bank Holiday Monday with a host of young sailors crowned winners. For a third day the sun beat down on the 280 junior racers as the glorious run of weather continued at Rutland Water.
The sailors, aged between 10 and 16, hail from the RYA's ten home countries and regions nationwide, and represent the very best in regional talent.
After two days without wind, the 73-strong Optimist fleet were able to get in two scoring races in light breeze.
With a second and third to her name, 12-year-old Katy Jenkins from Bowmoor was crowned Oppie champion.
Northern Ireland's Ellen Barbour, 14, representing County Antrim Yacht Club and Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, took the top spot in the Topper, while Kai Wolgram, 14, from Llyn Brenig in Wales won the Laser 4.7 fleet.
Queen Mary Sailing Club's Iona Shefford, 11, won the Techno 4.5 fleet only finishing outside of the top three once, while Queen Mary Sailing Club's William Ziegler, 12, took the Techno 5.8 title.
The Techno 6.8 fleet was won by Tommy Millard, 13, from ASWC Portsmouth, who while Louis Walker, 14, from Buzz Active Eastbourne, finished top in the Techno 7.8.
In the double-handed RS Feva class, Felix Stewart and Jake Harris, both 11, from Windemere School, won.
The iconic regatta, hosted by Rutland Sailing Club in conjunction with the Eric Twiname Trust, was won overall by the RYA's London and South East region.
The Eric Twiname Junior Championships is named in memory of legendary sailor, author and journalist Eric Twiname, and is regarded by many young racers as a rite of passage as they continue their journey to become top-level racers.
Past competitors include some of today's most successful British sailors.
"We couldn't have asked for more sunshine this weekend," said event director Chris Atherton, the RYA's senior high performance manager, "but a bit more wind would have been nice!
"In terms of racing it was a tricky event but the junior sailors were brilliant and if their smiles and laughter is anything to go by they had a great weekend.
"Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who made this event great, from the sailors and parents to the volunteers, everyone at Rutland Sailing Club and of course the Eric Twiname Trust."
Full results from the event can be found here.
Stay up to date with all the latest news from the regatta at British Youth Sailing's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.