Jim Saltonstall meets the Fishers Green Sailing Club ferrets
by Simon Butterworth 14 Jul 2009 13:50 BST
27 June 2009
Jim Saltonstall meets the 'ferrets' at Fishers Green Sailing Club © Simon Butterworth
The legendary GBR ex-Olympic sailing coach Jim Saltonstall popped into Fishers Green Sailing Club to give some training to the ‘ferrets’. (Jim’s nickname for the young sailors). Fishers Green Sailing Club, situated in the Lee Valley Regional Park, is a RYA Volvo Champion Club, an honour that was awarded to the club to recognise its commitment to the development of junior and youth racing and race training.
The day consisted of Jim watching the Cadet sailors racing giving encouragement and technical tips on the water, then providing an amusing and invaluable lecture on the rules of racing dinghies. The Cadets found this immensely useful and timely as the main fleet is taking to the road competing in the European Championships in Spain later this month and then onto the National Championship in Pwllheli, Wales in August. Also a number of the Cadet fleet are vying for positions to represent the country at the World Championships in Argentina in December.
Mark Ingall, the Cadet Squadron Captain said “The Cadet dinghy, a two handed racing boat, offers great opportunities for young sailors to compete at all levels, at the club, nationally and even internationally; Jim’s help and advice certainly gave our sailors a lot to think about as they plan their summer campaigns.”
The Cadet 273 Squadron can boast many of the top youth sailors in the country, including the current number one Cadet team of William Kennedy and Rhos Hawes (GBR 8539). Pictured with the ‘ferrets’ and Jim, is Sam Brearey an FGSC ex-Cadet, who is now part of the Skandia Team GBR British Sailing Team in the Olympic and Paralympic classes.
Over the summer period, RYA certified in-house sailing instructors and racing coaches will be providing training on Saturdays for all junior members of FGSC and guests are most welcome on a trial period. For further information please contact Alan Francis, FGSC Hon Club Secretary on 
