Derbyshire Youth Sailing 2014 Prize Giving

by Mike Haynes 25 Nov 2014 07:07 GMT 20 November 2014

Who knows where today's winners will take themselves?

The County's youth sailors gathered together at an event held at Carsington Sailing Club last week to congratulate the winners in the 2014 season and distribute trophies and prizes. Leading the way were Bryn and Richard Abendstern from Toddbrook Sailing Club who were crowned the 2014 Series Champions, being awarded the coveted Derbyshire Shield.

There are also three age group series prizes which are awarded for school years 6 and below, 7 to 9 & 10 and above. Each winner receives a trophy and a prize. Bryn & Richard were also the year 10 and above Senior series winners, receiving The Andrew Simpson Trophy, a newly commissioned trophy, created with permission of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. The years 7 to 9 Intermediate series winner, awarded The Ben Ainslie Trophy, was Daniel Wellbourn Hesp from Carsington Sailing Club. This year the year 6 and below trophy for Junior sailors, the Ellen MacArthur Trophy, was awarded to Maxi Hattersley also of Carsington Sailing Club.

The 2014 Series was once more supported by Peak Dinghy Spares and they again have helped with the provision of the prizes for 2014. They also award a trophy for the most improved sailor year on year and for 2014 this went to Will Gould, also of Carsington Sailing Club. The Saunders Cup, awarded to the highest placed female sailor in the series, went to Rebecca Grimshaw of Staunton Harold Sailing Club.

There was special mention of a number of Derbyshire sailors who have secured success in particular classes of boats or been selected for RYA or Class squads. Harvey Martin of Ogston Sailing Club made history in 2014 with his sailing partner Bobby Hewitt, by winning the British Nationals, the Europeans and the World Championships in the RS Feva Class of dinghy. Harvey's younger brother, Roscoe Martin also had international success, winning the European Championship in the RS Tera Class. Selected for RYA and Class winter training squads are the following Derbyshire sailors:

• Maxi Hattersley - RYA Topper North Zone Squad
• Jacob Felton – RYA Optimist West Zone Squad
• Daniel Wellbourn Hesp – IOCA Development Squad
• Chloe Felton – IOCA Development Squad
• Kamran Ewbank – RYA Optimist North Zone Squad
• Thomas Woodings – National Intermediate Topper Squad
• George Coles – National Junior Topper Squad

The prize giving also acknowledged the sailors achievements in representing Derbyshire at the National School Sailing Association events in 2014. These included both team racing and fleet racing involvement and receiving his third County Colours award, secured through his good performances and commitment, was Josh Haynes of Trent Valley Sailing Club.

Chair of DYS, Melissa Wellbourn, commented "The prize giving evening is our annual opportunity to recognize the talents, skills and commitment of the youth sailors in Derbyshire and to thank all of those involved in supporting them. The stepping stone that DYS provides, allows the sailors to develop their journey in their chosen sport and it is amazing where they can go and what they can achieve. There are former DYS sailors who are sailing within RYA Team GB or involved in yacht racing or working in the marine industry and in some part, DYS helped them all in fulfilling their dreams. Who knows where today's winners and all of the sailors, will take themselves?"

During the prize giving evening there was recognition and thanks given to all of the Sailing Clubs and their volunteers for the ongoing support of youth sailing in the county, with special thanks to the DYS volunteers as well as thanks to both the NSSA and the RYA, with whom DYS is affiliated. In his acceptance speech, Bryn Abendstern also thanked the parents of the sailors for their support and commitment. If you would like more information or to join in with DYS then please visit our website at www.dysailing.org to contact us.