RYA Scotland Spring Championships at Largs Sailing Club
by Alan Henderson 5 Apr 2011 13:43 BST
2-3 April 2011
Katie Milford during the RYA Scotland Spring Championships © Alan Henderson /
www.fotoboat.com
The inaugural RYA Scotland Spring Championships proved popular with young sailors, with 70 boats and boards on the water at this new event, hosted by Largs SC/ Scottish Sailing Institute on April 2/3. After a winter of hard work in squads, the young sailors had the chance to sharpen their skills in real competition, just a week before the start of the RYA Volvo Youth National Championships.
A brisk Southerly on the Saturday allowed three races, while two followed in shifty lighter conditions on the Sunday. Many class leaders firmly established their positions on the Saturday, giving them space to drop a few places on the Sunday. That was the case for both of the biggest classes, where Jack Aitken in Toppers and Rachel Mawer in Optimists opened with three wins on the Saturday. Sunday was different though, with Joanna Barrie in Toppers and Sophie Taylor in Optimists taking a pair of wins for second places overall.
In Radials, local Josh Kerr also opened with three Saturday wins to take the class from Jordan Black. In 420s, Callum and Drew Airlie took the first race, but Ali Gray and Alan McIntosh then took the next four races for an emphatic win.
Overall Results:
Toppers
1. Jack Aitken, Helensburgh SC, 5pts
2. Joanna Barrie, Annandale SC, 7pts
3. Andrew Mitchell, Helensburgh SC, 14pts
Optimists
1. Rachel Mawer, Clyde CC, 5pts
2. Sophie Taylor, Clyde CC, 7pts
3. Niccolo Vetta, Annandale SC, 12pts
Radials
1. Josh Kerr, Largs SC, 5pts
2. Jordan Black, Loch Earn SC, 11pts
3. Ian McLaughlin, Largs SC, 14pts
First girl; Katie Milford, Loch Tummel SC
420
1. Ali Gray & Alan McIntosh, Helensburgh SC, 4pts
2. Callum & Drew Airlie, East Lothian YC, 7pts
Techno 7.8 winner; Jan Goldbeck
Techno 6.8 winner; Dean Hargreaves