Derbyshire Youth Sailing at Errwood Sailing Club
by Mike Haynes 9 Jun 2006 09:50 BST
3 June 2006
Wind & sun for the Derbyshire Youth Sailing event at Errwood SC © Mike Shaw /
www.fotoboat.com
Two in a row for Tom
Carsington SC sailor Tom Levick (17) took his second series event win in a row in the fourth Derbyshire Youth Sailing series event held at Errwood Sailing Club on Saturday 3rd June. Tom, racing his Laser dinghy, dominated the three races in quite tricky conditions as the wind strength varied considerably around the course and throughout the day. Second place went to fellow Carsington SC sailor Rocky Banks (14) in an excellent result in her Optimist dinghy beating her elder Brother, Elliot Banks (15) in his Laser Radial dinghy, into third place. Elliott is the current leader in the ten event DYS series.
It was certainly Carsington Sailing Club’s sailors who dominated the days results as first Junior sailor was another sailor from the club, Ella Stoggall (9) racing in her Optimist dinghy, who achieved a very creditable 11th place overall.
The warm sunshine and dramatic scenery surrounding the reservoir drew visitors to sit on the hillsides overlooking the water and drink in the spectacle of the twenty five competing boats as they raced around the course. The South facing clubhouse provided an excellent viewing facility for the parents and friends who watched the races unfold before them.
The races were staged in two flight starts to accommodate the competitors on a necessarily short start line and it was intriguing to watch the fleets separate and concertina as the fickle wind came and went at different times. During the middle of the three races, the becalmed sailors in a lull had to watch the back of the fleet come ghosting up towards them and see them carried through with their momentum, until the wind filled in and they could make way again.
Paul Thomas, Errwood SC member, commented “These young sailors certainly had their work cut out for them today with the variable conditions proving quite a challenge. Tom and Rocky sailed extremely well, as did the Junior sailors, and they all had a wonderful time with such glorious weather. I think it was the first real summer sailing they have had this year. Perfect.”
There are still six DYS series events to come this year and with the outcome of the competition being calculated from the top six results for each participant, there is still just enough events for youth sailors to join the contest and challenge for the annual series prizes. Details and pre-event registration is available, along with lots more information on the www.dysailing.com website. Sailors had better be quick as the next event is on Saturday 10th June at Ogston Sailing Club near Clay Cross.