Welsh Youth Championships at Pwllheli Sailing Club

by Tim Hall 22 Apr 2002 11:57 BST

Record Entry at Welsh Youth Championships

129 Sailors entered the Volvo RYA Welsh Open Youth Championships held at Pwllheli Sailing Club over the weekend 20/21 April 2002. Although forecasts were not favourable, the weekend produced some “classic” Tremadoc Bay sailing conditions enabling all classes to complete a full 6 race series. The wind blew Force 3-4 from the South all weekend with good wave conditions and the sun even came out on Sunday.

Racing was held in four classes, being Optimist, Topper, Laser Radial and General Handicap.

The largest fleet was the Optimist Class (58) attracting the top sailors from all over the UK taking advantage of the Open category which also combined the IOCA Welsh Area Championships. The fleet was dominated by Hannah Mills counting 4 firsts and a second showing the boys the way. Other notable race wins were from Claire Lasko (also first junior) and Tom Mallindine. First junior boy was Patrick Metcalfe (8th overall).

The Topper Class also used the event as one of the Nationwide series which boosted the fleet size to 41. This fleet was again dominated by one sailor, James Stewardson counting 3 firsts and two seconds. First Welsh boat and fifth overall was Dyfrig Mon. First girl was Pippa Taylor and first Welsh girl was Emma Clarke. In the Laser Radial fleet, Chris Grube was untouchable scoring a straight six wins. There was a close scrap between Ian Haywood and John Booth for second place with Ian coming out on top by 2 points. First girl was Nikki Sharp and first Welsh girl was Rhian Thomas.

The General Handicap fleet varied from Mirrors to a 29er! However it was the Laser of Andy Brooks which took the honours. David Freemantle and Ben Redwood came a close second in their 29er.

During the prize giving, Bob Lowe, WYA Chairman reflected upon the achievement of the event being due to the support from the Sports Council for Wales of the Welsh National Sailing Squads and recently formed Regional Squads. He also thanked Volvo Car UK, Pwllheli Sailing Club and all the Race team and volunteers for making the event such a notable success.

Overall Results:

Pos	Crew	Club
Optimist:
1	Hannah Mills	British Steel S.C.
2	Tom Mallindine	British Steel S.C.
3	Joshua Metcalfe	Port Dinorwic S.C.
4	Claire Lasko	Bowmoor
5	Ben Pym	British Steel
1st Junior Boy	Patrick Metcalfe	Port Dinorwic S.C.
1st Junior Girl	Ceri Grube	Bala S.C.
Topper:
1	James Stewartson	Ullswater Y.C.
2	Peter Cowell	Chelmarsh S.C.
3	Dave Brooks	Elton S.C.
4	Allan Mill
5 (1st Welsh Boat)	Dyfrig Mon	Red Wharf Bay S.C.
6	Andrew Tunnicliffee
7	William Edwards	British Steel S.C.
8 (1st Girl)	Pippa Taylor	Leigh and Lowton S.C.
9	Ben Sutcliffe	Dale Y.C.
10 (1st Welsh Girl)	Emma Clarke	Dovey Y.C.
11	Lisa Williams	Port Dinorwic S.C.
Laser Radial:
1	Chris Gube	Bala S.C.
2	Ian Haywood	Gresford S.C.
3	John Booth	Redsmere S.C.
4	Luke Breen-Turner	Royal Angelsey Y.C.
5	Sam James	Newquay Y.C.
1st Girl	Nikki Sharp	Budworth S.C.
1st Welsh Girl	Rhian Thomas	Mumbles Y.C.
General Handicap:
1	Andy Brooks	Elton S.C. (Laser)
2	Dave Freemantle and Ben Redwood	British Steel S.C. (29er)
3	Hywel Poole	Port Dinorwic S.C. (Laser)
4	Stuart Hopson	Gresford S.C. (Laser 4.7)
5	Ben Crompton and James Bud	S.C.Y.C. (Mirror)
1st Welsh Girls	Bronwen Burton and Mekele Carey	Barry Y.C. (420)