Nearly 200 youth sailors take part in HISC Youth Week 2014
by Sarah Johnson 9 Aug 2014 21:55 BST
4-8 August 2014
HISC Youth Open Race Week © Sarah Mitchell
193 young sailors took part in Hayling Island Sailing Club's 2014 Youth Open Race Week, making it the largest multi class youth sailing event on the South Coast. The extremely popular and competitive annual event attracted a full range of sailing abilities from 8 year old beginner sailors through to Youth World Champions.
HISC Youth Week attracted strong fleets of Optimists, RS Teras, RS Fevas, 29ers and a handicap fleet of Laser 4.7s, Laser Radials, Toppers, 420s and RS200s. The sailors enjoyed glorious, 'champagne' sailing conditions for the first four days with winds varying from 11 to 20 knots and bright sunshine. The week was accompanied by a busy social programme including BBQ, Youth Ball, table tennis tournament and beach games.
New for 2014 were the daily coaching sessions for the 28 strong Red Ribbon fleet of novice sailors in Optimists and RS Teras. They enjoyed two hours of fun coaching every morning, with qualified instructors, and advanced enough to complete two races a day by the end of the week.
The winners of the various fleets were as follows:
- 29er: Crispin Beaumont and Tom Darling
- RS Feva: Rory Odell and Josh Bonsey
- Topper: Ollo Catton
- Handicap Fleet: Alex Butler
- RS Tera Gold: Will Orringe
- RS Tera Silver: Tom Gorringe
- RS Tera Red Ribbon: Grace Fisk
- Optimist: Phoebe Peters
- Optimist Red Ribbon: Rosie Thompson
Full results can be found at
www.hisc.co.uk/sailing-racing/open-results/2014-open-results
Principal Race Officer David Hitchcock summed up the week; 'We had predominantly perfect conditions for this highly successful and hugely well attended HISC Youth Week. We began the week with breezy conditions, enjoyed champagne sailing for several days in the middle and managed to put on a number of varied courses for the competitors. I was especially impressed by the convivial atmosphere amongst the competitors which included complete beginners through to Youth World Champions.'
This year's highly successful event was the result of the excellent pre-event planning, time and commitment put in by Youth Rear Commodore Anne-Marie Wood and her committee members as well as the highly professional team of race officers and safety crews on the water.
Dates for next year's HISC Open Youth Race Week are 10th-14th August 2015.