North Wales OnBoard Festival at Bala
by Hamish Stuart, RYA Wales 12 Sep 2014 19:35 BST
North Wales sailor Jac Bailey won his first event away from his home club at the age of six, beating his older sister into second place.
The Y Felinheli Port Dinorwic sailor was competing in the North Wales OnBoard Festival at Bala, a junior event for those sailors new to the sport – as well as some more experienced competitors in the senior fleets.
The OnBoard scheme is aimed at encouraging new children into the sport of sailing, with the festival to give a competitive edge to their new enjoyment.
Bailey was the youngest competitor, but that did not stop him coming out on top in the Optibat fleet thanks to three race wins, with sister Ffion in second and Rhyl's Saraya Makin in third.
Y Felinheli Port Dinorwic's Ffreuer Bristow won the OnBoard optimist fleet, with clubmates Arwen Flur and Leah Murphy in second and third respectively.
Gresford's Lucia Rose Gittins-Jones and Sophie Webster won the general handicap category of the OnBoard fleet, Clywedog's Tirion Williams second with clubmates Anig Moscrop-Cross and Hannah Black in third.
It was another family affair as Miles Gittins-Jones won the OnBoard topper fleet, Meirionydd's Benjamin Winter second and Bala's Oliver Patrick third.
Holyhead's Thomas Marsden came out on top in the main optimist fleet, Tyler Green of Felinheli Port Dinorwic, with Shotwick's Kieran Lewis performing so strongly in the silver fleet that he came third overall in the gold fleet.
Dovey's Richard Parsons won the topper fleet, with Penamenmawr's Ieuan Williams second and Clywedog's Stef Feely third.
Y Felinheli Port Dinorwic claimed the OnBoard club award, while Clywedog were the overall club of the year.
"This was a really good event, looking to build on the 2014 club training and OnBoard activity by providing competition in sheltered water, coached environment," said Welsh Yachting Association national development officer Ruth Iliffe.
"It's an enjoyable friendly, relaxed event. All are welcome – from first time racers to competitive Regional Squad members aspiring to join the Welsh National Squad.
"Jac Bailey competing in his first event away from his home club won the Optibat fleet, he also won the youngster competitor prize and beat his older sister into second place.
"In the main fleet, Kieran Lewis in the silver fleet optimist sailed really well keeping the gold fleet sailors under pressure and beating them in some races.
"In the topper fleet Ieuan Williams, Penmaenmawr, won the silver fleet topper but also actually finished second overall - only being beaten by one gold fleet sailor.
"It is also worth mentioning that Meirionnydd yacht club took part for the first time. That was amazing considering that they were running no junior training two years ago."
For results: welshsailingevents.org/north-wales-onboard-festival-2014
Winners - OnBoard Fleet
Optibat- Jac Bailey, age 6 CH Y Felin Heli Port Dinorwic SC (also youngest sailor)
Optimist- Ffreuer Bristow, CH Y Felin Heli Port Dinorwic SC
Topper- Miles Gittens- Jones, Gresford SC
General Handicap Lucia Gittens-Jones & Sophie Webster, Gresford SC
Winners - Main Fleet
Optimist Silver- Kieran Lewis, Shotwick Lake SC
Optimist Gold- Tom Marsden, Holyhead SC
Topper Silver- Ieuan Williams Penmaenmawr SC
Topper Gold- Richard Parsons, Dovey YC
General Handicap- Zac Orehawa- CH Clywedog SC
OnBoard Club of Year - CH Y Felinheli SC/ Port Dinorwic SC
Overall club of Year - CH Clywedog SC
For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA's website www.rya.org.uk or the OnBoard website www.ruob.co.uk