Christchurch Sailing Club Junior Week
by Simon Percival 22 Aug 10:14 BST
13-17 August 2018
Christchurch Sailing Club Junior Week © Richard Beasley & Steve Hayles
Christchurch Sailing Club celebrated the end of another superb week of sailing for its junior members. The event ran from Monday 13th until Friday 17th August and attracted 71 of its young sailors.
Within the racing fleet there were five groups, Optimist Gold, Silver and Bronze, Junior Racers and Laser 4.7's.
The racing team led by Rory Barnes delivered a packed programme of races within the confines of Christchurch Harbour, with a variety of wind conditions which always kept a smile on the competitors faces.
Flynn Atkins comfortably won the Lasers 4.7's fleet from Abi Hayles and Sophie Walker.
William Sears sailing his RS Tera came out on top in the Junior Racers fleet from Charlie Lawrence and Jessica Asamoa sailing their Toppers.
In the Oppie Gold fleet, Mads Fry, held off competition from Franch New and Electra Reeves.
The Oppie Silver fleet was won by Freddie Reeves who managed to stay ahead of the Bryan Brown sisters, Didi and Lyla.
The Oppie bronze fleet was dominated by George Hayles who won from Harry Dendle and Max Rayner.
All sailors benefited during the week from some on the water coaching from a number of proficient dinghy helms within the Club, with the children's skills improving day by day as the week progressed.
During the week, a couple of one off races were held which proved entertaining to all.
The Mass Start Race set off with a Le Mans style start which caused the inevitable chaos, but amongst the madness Mads Fry in her Optimist kept her head and took the victory.
The Pursuit Race was won by a jubilant Freddie Reaves, his victory coming down to the last the last lap under hot pursuit from the flying Laser 4.7's and Toppers.
The Pirates group was headed up by Hugh Rayner who brought his unique brand of energy to the week. The young sailors were out on the water every day, all though some preferred to be in it! The aim of the week is to have fun and build the confidence of the young sailors in and around the water. As well as sailing, raft building, paddle boarding and shark attack were firm favourites of the group.
The prize giving took place in a packed club house where all those taking part were awarded prizes. Steve Hayles, professional sailor, thanked Turn the Tide for donating some prizes and took the opportunity to deliver the important message to the young sailors on what we can and should be doing to keep our oceans clean, based on his experiences of sailing around the world.
The team of volunteers expertly led by Richard Beasley thanked Rooster Sailing for sponsoring the event and thanked the children once again for their efforts in making Christchurch Sailing Club's 2018 Junior Week one of the very best!
Full results can be found here.