Three time champion for Derbyshire Youth Sailing
by Mike Haynes 8 Jan 2014 11:37 GMT
8 January 2014
2013 Derbyshire Youth Sailing prize winners © Arien Lettinga
At the Derbyshire Youth Sailing annual Peak Dinghy Spares Series prize-giving for the 2013 season, 15 year old Josh Haynes from Matlock, received the Derbyshire Shield for the third consecutive year as he was crowned Overall Derbyshire Champion once more. Josh who attends Highfields School and is a member of Trent Valley Sailing Club is also one of the talented athletes of the Derbyshire Institute of Sport and is the 2013 Derbyshire Dales Young Sportsman of the Year.
The Derbyshire Youth Sailing events are scored overall for all competitors and in three age groups by school years: up to school year 6 are Junior's, who compete for the Ellen MacArthur Trophy; school years 7 to 9, the intermediate's, compete for the Ben Ainslie Trophy and school years 10 and above, the senior's, compete for the recently named Andrew Simpson Trophy.
Also able to celebrate retaining a prize was 11 year old Daniel Wellbourn Hesp who received the Ellen MacArthur Trophy, which he first won last year. Daniel sails at Carsington Sailing Club and attends Anthony Gell School. The Ben Ainslie Trophy was awarded to William Gould who also sails at Carsington SC and attends Swanwick Hall School. Josh Haynes is the first recipient of the Andrew Simpson Trophy, which has been named after the Olympic and America's Cup sailor who tragically lost his life while training in San Francisco last year. The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation has agreed to Derbyshire Youth Sailing naming the trophy in his memory. The foundation has been established to continue with Andrew's passion for supporting young sailors.
Seven sailors also received their County Colours, awarded for accrued points for representing Derbyshire in several national sailing competitions. A total of 60 points are required to be eligible. 2013's recipients were: Ben Brown, Lewis Coppinger, Harrison Coppinger, Obi Groombarke, Matt Luxton, Daniel Wellbourn Hesp and Toby Woodings. One sailor, 18 year old Ben Haynes, in his final DYS season, received his third County Colours award having accrued 180 points.
The most improved sailor was awarded the Peak Dinghy Spares Trophy and for 2013 that went to Daniel Wellbourn Hesp. The award is based on year on year performance. Peak Dinghy Spares are supporters of Derbyshire Youth Sailing and the series prize winners all receive vouchers to spend on chandlery or services from Peak Dinghy Spares.
Another special county award is given to the highest placed girl helm. Donated by the family of a former DYS sailor, the Saunders Cup was awarded for 2013 to 17 year old Jessie Wellbourn Hesp, Daniel's elder sister, who sails at Carsington Sailing Club, attends Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and was 4th in the overall series.
Josh Haynes commented "The DYS series events are really great fun and have helped me to improve throughout my racing sailing, since I was seven. When I first raced in DYS events, I was at the back of the fleet, being helped by the volunteers in the safety boat, as they were encouraging me and coaching me. It's amazing to have won the series now for the third time".
The prize-giving event was attended by the newly appointed RYA East Midlands Chairman, Mr Roger Day, who presented the awards. During the evening, the winning sailors also shared news of their racing and sailing activities outside DYS and these included competing in World Championships, International Regattas, voyages on tall ships and sloops as well as being selected for Team GB national and regional squads in the RYA Performance Programme. Former Derbyshire Youth Sailors James Hadden and Harry Briddon who are currently in the Team GB Olympic Development Sailing Squad were also mentioned.
A minute's silence was observed in memory of John Hesp who passed away on August 11th 2013. John, father of Jessie and Daniel, was a strong and active volunteer for DYS and he will be fondly remembered for his positive approach to every aspect of sailing and life.
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