RS Feva Volvo Grand Prix at Draycote Water Sailing Club

The first RS Feva Volvo Grand Prix of the series took place over the weekend of 3rd and 4th September at Draycote Water Sailing Club.

A good and varied forecast for the weekend meant that the 40 teams had good mix of conditions to compete in.

Saturday's offering was for a building breeze throughout the day, a shock to the system for many, the day also included rain, it really did feel like autumn had arrived! Race 1 got away on time, the race team keen to miss the very strong winds forecast for later in the day. Ewan Wilson and Henry Jameson of Wormit Boating Club and Hayling Island Sailing Club take the win with Rupert Jameson and Ossian Bracegirdle from Hayling Island SC in second and Archie Leckie and Harvey Leigh from Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club take 3rd.

With the breeze increasing and frequent large gusts race 2 saw the Pye brothers from Draycote take the win, Tom Storey and Oliver Kent from Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club in second and Jamie Rastrick and Madeleine Bristow from Yorkshire Dales SC and Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club in 3rd

With gusty conditions continuing to challenge the sailors race 3 saw Archie Leckie and Harvey Leigh take the win followed by Dylan McPherson and Dylan Collingbourne of Burnham Sailing Club and India Edwards and Emily Houghton of Shropshire Sailing Club take 3rd

Sunday was a similar affair but not has wet! Sailors had to tackle a slightly different wind direction and racing took place on a different part of the reservoir. Archie Leckie and Harvey Leigh dominated the day with a flawless display of sailing taking the win in race 4 and 5.

Race 4 we saw Ewan Wilson and Henry Jameson take 2nd and Tom Storey and Oliver Kent in 3rd. With Archie and Harvey pretty impossible to catch 2nd and 3rd place was all to play for. Race 5 Pierce Harris and Alfie Cogger of Windermere School took 2nd place and Ewan Wilson and Henry Jameson took 3rd. Race 6 saw the wind shifting so the race team moving the course. The top 3 boats pulled away from the rest of the fleet with Tom Storey and Oliver Kent taking a very convincing win, Ewan Wilson and Henry Jameson in 2nd closely followed by Rupert Jameson and Ossian Bracegirdle in 3rd.

At the prize giving UK RS Feva Class Chairman Jonathan Webster thanked the Race team lead by Ally Jones, Safety team and Draycote Crew and club members for a fantastic and very well run weekend and making the class feel so welcome, Volvo for their ongoing support to the class and sailors and Magic Marine for the prizes.

Next stop RYA Zone Championships 24th and 25th September, there are various locations around the country you can find all details at www.rya.org.uk/racing-events/Pages/hub.aspx - this is a super event for all, it is not only about squad selection but a great opportunity to attend a local RYA run event, have some great racing and share the venue with many other RYA supported Junior classes.

The next Volvo Grand Prix and final Squad Selector event for the RYA UK Junior Squad and UK RS Feva Class Association Class National Squad is at Exe Sailing Club on 8th and 9th October, a great location and new challenge to the reservoir sailing of this weekend with tides to contend with!

Overall Results: