North East Youth Traveller at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

NEYTS Series Champion Michael Matthews (centre) surrounded by some of the young competitors and winners outside Derwent Reservoir SC at the final event © Liz King

The final event of this series was held at Derwent Reservoir on July 14th. The high winds and white horses did not deter some young sailors from wanting to sail.

ODs, Richard Startup and Howard Armstrong decided to set a small triangle with a gate just up from the leeward mark and twelve sailors left the beach. Some of the gusts were vicious and three Inner City SC members, in Picos along with Iain Symon (Tees & Hartlepool), and Helen Armstrong (DRSC), both in Toppers, all decided that seamanship, i.e. going for the beach was the best option. The other seven, all in Toppers, encountered a short sharp chop along with the wind strength and after a lap Andrew Llewellyn (T&HYC) headed for shore followed by Jake White DRSC who had spent a lot of time swimming. Joric Gebhard (DRSC), Mikey Matthews (SYC), Tom Steavenson (TSC), and Danny Trotter (DRSC) all survived the first lap, competing hard. Honor Fell, Beadnell, had an unlucky capsize which put her behind the boys after a gutsy performance. In the second lap, Tom Steavenson’s boom snapped; his fourth boom failure in recent months. Joric and Mike had a hectic race with Danny not far behind and Honor sailing a good time in her last lap.

After a quick lunch, the ODs went out to look at conditions and decided that enough was enough, much to everyone’s relief and the thought of an early tea!

Overall Results:

1st Joric Gebhard (DRSC)
2nd Mike Matthews (SYC)
3rd Danny Trotter (DRSC)
4th Honor Fell (Beadnell SC) All others DNF

This event was the final of the Trident_UK supported series, in which 69 local sailors had competed. The results are scored on an inverse bonus point system counting down from 50 so the highest score wins. Participation in four of the six events was needed to qualify.

Series Results:

1st Mike Matthews, Topper (Sunderland YC) 181 pts
2nd Alex Forth, C2 Byte (South Shields SC) 168.3 pts
3rd Andrew Llewellyn, Topper (Tees & Hartlepool YC) 154 pts
4th Thomas Steavenson, Topper (Tynemouth SC) 153.3 pts
5th Iain Symon, Topper (Tees & Hartlepool YC) 151.3 pts

Thanks must go the drivers of laden trailers and the local clubs who encourage their young sailors to venture elsewhere and experience different types of water and conditions. Bob Kaye and his sailors from Inner City SC, a school in Middlesbrough, deserve a special mention for their cheerful good humour and determination. Trident-UK support by providing prizes for the series qualifiers.