RYA Welsh Zone Championships at Pembrokeshire Yacht Club
by Hamish Stuart, Welsh Yachting Association 8 Oct 2014 10:59 BST
27-28 September 2014
Cardiff Bay sailor Will Hall warmed up for the world championships in Argentina at the end of the month by winning the Welsh title at the Zone Championships.
The event held at Pembrokeshire yacht club, sponsored by Milford Marina, also saw home club sailors sweeping the board in the OnBoard classes for new sailors.
Hall was part of a strong Cardiff Bay contingent, taking four of the top five places in the Optimist class of boat, clubmate Aiden Bell won the General Handicap class, while Teifi/Fishguard sailor Tom Renny took the honours in the Topper class of boat.
"There was a lot of good competition here, so I feel really proud of myself," said Hall.
"It was good racing, the course was set up well. I am looking forward now to the worlds in Argentina at the end of October."
Welsh Yachting Association chief executive Steven Morgan said, "This is a fantastic event that provides a great opportunity for young sailors of all abilities to access good quality racing.
"I am extremely grateful for all the help and support that Christian Smart and his team of volunteers at Pembrokeshire YC have provided and to our sponsor Milford Marina."
The Welsh Zone Championships see the best sailing talent, as well as some new to the sport, taking part in an event which is a major stepping stone to higher levels.
The Welsh Squad programme has been successful for a number of years. Current senior British Sailing Team members who are campaigning for the Rio 2016 Games Hannah Mills, Ed Wright and 470 sailor David Evans have all competed in the event and been part of the Welsh squad programme as they have progressed through their careers.
Lucy James, Marketing Manager at the Port of Milford Haven said, "Milford Marina is proud to be sponsoring the WYA Welsh Zone Championships at Pembrokeshire Yacht Club.
"It really is a spectacular event, with junior entrants from all over Wales competing on the Milford Haven Waterway in a variety of classes. We hope that they enjoyed their time in Pembrokeshire."
More than 1,000 of the nation's Olympic sailing hopefuls hit the water across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Championships traditionally mark the end of the junior racing season and are a key event for any young sailor wishing to be selected for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads, which are the first step on the pathway to Olympic Classes sailing.
Within the Optimist Main Fleet, Will Hall was dominant, winning all four of his counting races. Fellow Cardiff Bay sailor, Jamie Cook, finished strongly, but it as not quite enough o overtake Trarddur Bay/Shotwick Lake's Callum Davidson-Guild for second place.
In the Topper Main Fleet, new Topper sailor Ben Willett did well to win race five having only sailed the boat for a few days. He did enough to pull himself up the leader board to second overall and behind the overnight leader, Tom Renny.
Tom again won the last race with Ben Roberts from Saundersfoot SC close behind. In the overall results, Tom was first, Ben second and the consistent Rhys Chandler, from Bala, managed to pull through to third.
In the General Handicap Fleet, Aidan Bell managed to keep his overnight lead with two more top three finishes. Rhys Jones from New Quay YC pulled up to third overall with Deryn May and Erin Pearce managing to stay in second place overall in their 420.
The Regatta fleet was dominated by local sailors from Pembrokeshire YC. Robbie Smart won the Optimist fleet, Ioan Davies won the Toppers with other PYC sailor, Matthew Warrender in third. Ciara and Bethan Owens also won the General Handicap in their RS Feva. Other notable performances came from Thomas Willet and Miles Everett, both from Llangorse SC who were second and third in the Optimist fleet and Lestyn Lewis from Llyn Brenig SC who was second in the Topper fleet.
WYA High Performance Manager, Alistair Dickson, said, "It's been a real test for the sailors at the front of the fleets and a tranquil introduction to championship racing for those in the Onboard fleets.
"I would like to thank Pembrokeshire YC for their help and support with running this event and all the volunteers, whom without, we wouldn't be able to run these events and provide these opportunities for this group of eager sailors and competitors.
"We look forward to returning to Pembrokeshire for the 2015 Zone and Home Country Championships next year."