RYA Wales Team15 Inter-Club Championship on Swansea Bay
by Hamish Stuart, RYA Wales 4 Jul 2012 08:04 BST
23 June 2012
Lizzy Hartley wins the 3.5m class at the RYA Wales Team15 Inter-Club Championship on Swansea Bay © Hamish Stuart
Mumbles Mutineers windsurfers rose up to claim the second leg of the RYA Wales Team15 Inter-Club Championship, to show the race for the Welsh title is set to go all the way this year.
They were pushed hard by Swansea Watersports with the winners of the first leg, Reservoir Dogs from Llandegfedd, being shown they will not have things all their own way this season as they seek to retain their title by teaching young Dogs new tricks.
The result meant the Mutineers take over top place in the table, with Reservoir Dogs slipping a place to second and Swansea Watersports pushing hard in third place.
Mumbles may have taken the spoils thanks to the efforts of Rory Jackson and Dylan Chase, but in many ways it was Swansea Watersports' Elinor Thomas who was the star of the day as she had never windsurfed before being brought along by her friend Lizzy Hartley.
After a bit of coaching in the morning, she was able to put those lessons into such good effect in the 3.5 metre class that she claimed third place and a bronze medal. “Windsurfing is quite hard, but so much fun,” was her reaction afterwards.
Hartley claimed first place in the 3.5m class after a tight battle with Jack Fitxpatrick from Reservoir Dogs went down to the final race, which was won by Hartley.
“It was an interesting day to say the least,” said T15 co-ordinator Stuart Meese. “The weather was only just short of a full storm, though it calmed down enough to get some racing in and was quite mild by the end.
“Special mention muct go to Jack Fitzpatrick who made an error on the course in the last race in the 3.5m class to give victory to Lizzy Hartley.
“The race committee were unsure if he had made an error so it was only his honesty that meant he was out of contention. He was rewarded with a merit award for sportsmanship – a true T15'er!
“It was a great turn out with a real battle between the two Swansea clubs. The last two events in the Welsh championships could go any way.”
Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard and Neil Pryde, T15 was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level.
Fun and informal training sessions take place at T15 clubs all over the country for kids up to the age of 15, which are run weekly by specialist RYA coaches.
The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.
To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.