Six international youth medals for British sailors
by Imogen Stanley 29 Jul 2015 12:55 BST
29 July 2015
Gold for Jamie Calder at the Laser Radial Youth Europeans © Ross Harvey
The British Youth Sailing Team medal haul totalled six at the conclusion of three Youth World and European Championships over the weekend (26 July).
Jamie Calder and Jack Cookson won gold and bronze respectively at the Laser Radial Youth European Championships, Viana de Castelo, Portugal (18-25 July).
It was a hat-trick of British medals at the RS Feva Worlds, Travemunde, Germany (20-24 July). Freya Black and Hattie Cage's superb final day upgraded them to fifth overall and RS Feva Girls' European Champions. Brothers, Fin and Dan Armstrong won silver while Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall completed the podium in bronze and first junior.
Niamh Harper rounded-off her week at the Topper World Championships, Riva del Garda, Italy (17-24 July), third overall, top Brit and first girl.
Achieving gold left Scottish sailor Calder speechless for a moment, "I just feel fantastic, it hasn't really sunk in yet. It just feels awesome to achieve one of my target goals."
The week started light but built to over 20 knots with big waves rolling in from the Atlantic, however this didn't deter Calder in his title battle: "At times my coach, Ross Harvey, couldn't see the top of my mast because of the waves."
"Going into the last day I had to perform in both races, my first was good and in the last race I was keeping an eye on second. He did try to attack me at the start, but I managed to get away and sail it like it was any other race."
"Listening to the national anthem playing as I was standing on top of the podium was the most amazing feeling ever. I now feel really ready and confident going into the Worlds in Kingston in a couple of weeks."
"I think our winter squad this year has been really good. Jack, myself and the other guys in the squad have been really pushing forward. Jack sailed an awesome event and I wish him and Dan [Whiteley] the best of luck at the EUROSAFs."
Cookson, a member of the British EUROSAF Team, was also competing for medals from the start of the week eventually claiming bronze. As racing starts today for the EUROSAF European Sailing Championships, Brest, France (27 July-2 August) he has his eyes set on a podium finish in Brest and at the Laser Radial Youth Worlds in Kingston, Canada (15-20 August) later in the summer.
"I am currently at the EUROSAFs but then I head to the Laser Radial Worlds next in Kingston and hoping for top three again, there will be some tough competition from some of the Aussies but I think I can do it," explained Cookson.
The 420 Open and Ladies World Championships finished on Saturday (25 July), conditions ranged from 5-25 knots in the six day, 12 race series. Sarah Norbury (South Staff SC) and Mari Davies (Pwllheli) finished top British girl in fifth, while Jenny Smallwood and Danielle Thomas ended their week in 17th. Lymington based Transition sailors, Fenella Bennett and Emily Gent, had a remarkable week finishing 22nd including two top-10 results.
Max Clapp (Royal Southern) and Ross Banham posted a third in the final race of the event to secure 13th.
Other British Youth Sailing Team 420 sailors have been competing at the French Nationals, Yacht Club Crouesty Arzon (18-25 July). A consistent series placed Martin Wrigley and Marcus Tressler towards the top of the 101-strong-fleet in fifth. Just three points behind in sixth were EUROSAF Team Members Jenny Cropley and Emma Baker from Royal Lymington YC.
The RS Feva Worlds came to a fiery conclusion last week (24 July) and it was an all British podium. British Youth Sailing Team members Fin and Dan Armstrong from Totnes, were leading the worlds into the final day of racing however they were pipped to the post on count back finally settling for silver. European Champions Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall (Draycote SC) three points behind in bronze medal position and crowned first Junior. British pair Iain Bird and Jake Hardman took the overall win.
Freya Black and Hattie Cage (Bewl Valley) put in their best performance all week moving up to fifth overall and taking the all girls' World Championship Title.
Scottish sailor Niamh Harper took third place and first girl at the Topper Worlds Championship, Lake Garda Italy. She ended the week with just a one point advantage over Ireland's Geoff Power. Vittorio Gallinaro (ITA) took overall victory.
The British Youth Sailing Team are currently competing at the EUROSAF European Youth Sailing Championships until Sunday 2 August.
You can follow the team and see the action unfold on the British Youth Sailing Team Facebook page and on Twitter at @RYAyouthracing.