Mirror Northern Zone Squad Training at Pwllheli Sailing Club
by Dave Woodhead 28 Mar 2011 10:54 BST
26-27 March 2011
Sun cream and a BBQ on the beach at Pwllheli (yes it really was that warm!) were the order of the day for the final weekend of the Mirror North Zone Squad’s winter training programme. Thanks to the generosity of CREWSAVER every squad sailor went home with a bag of crewsaver goodies and some great prizes. Despite the earlier freezing winter weather which caused some weekends to be reorganised on different dates and at different venues, a full programme was achieved with sailing taking place on all twelve training days.
Intensive boat handling exercises, developing new skills including tactical and strategy awareness and Sunday afternoon coached racing was the format of each weekend for the 11 boat squad. All the squad made remarkable progress over the winter, with the top boats challenging the National Squad at the penultimate weekend at Carsington.
Whilst the sun shone at Pwllheli the wind remained predominantly light allowing the squad to experience tidal issues that some of them had not previously encountered. Unfortunately this also meant that the planned sessions on wave technique could not take place.
The Sunday afternoon racing scores were put together for a race series over the last four weekends. Top spot was hotly contested between Scott and Adam Bromley of South Staffs S C and Will Hide and Emma Clayton from Yorkshire Dales S C. Although Will and Emma had the best performance in the light winds at Pwllheli, Scott and Adam’s earlier strong wind sailing was enough to just clinch the top spot.
The girls of South Staffs took up places 3 and 4 with Chloe Macaulay and Issy Leroux in 3rd place and Evie Howarth and Issy Tate in 4th. Just squeezing into 5th place overall on the last leg of the last race were Ellie Hide and Sophie Benn from Yorkshire Dales. Special mention must be made of the boat just squeezed out of 5th place.
At just 9 and 8 years old, April and Jamie Whiteley from Ullswater YC showed that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. All the remaining squad sailors received prizes for various aspects of their performances over the winter programme. These are listed below:
- Annabelle and Will Orme (Beaver SC)for quality rabbit run starts
- Tom Dean and George Richards (Beaver and Pennine SCs) for most improved over the winter
- Sarah Clayton and Ellie Ben (Otley SC) Most improved over the last 2 years
- Daniel and Dara Madden (Otley SC) The flashes of genius ward
- Nell Rice-Birchall and Dom Daniel (Otley and Coniston SCs) for positive attitude to training
Many thanks to all the parents from coaches Dave Woodhead and Adam Savage for helping to make this squad so successful. A special thank you to parents Sarah and Andrew Richards. Former top Lark sailor Sarah was ready to jump into a Mirror at any time and assist on the water and Andrew with his Crewsaver connection provide a great bonus in prizes for the kids.