Cymru Youth Racing Circuit 2018
by Hamish Stuart 21 Sep 2018 13:59 BST
The winners of the Cymru Youth Racing Circuit series of races at Llandegfedd © WYA
Around 20 young sailors from around South Wales took part in the Llandegfedd Cymru Youth Racing Circuit (CYRC), the first step for most on the youth racing scene.
Victories at Llandegfedd Reservoir meant overall victories in the South Wales CYRC series 2018 for home sailor Dylan Fletcher in the General Handicap and Cardiff Bay's Merle Nieuwland in the Optimist boat.
It was another Llandegfedd sailor, William Collinson, who came out on top in the Topper event on home waters.
Councillor Val Smith of Monmouthshire County Council presented prizes to a dozen successful junior sailors at Llandegfedd Reservoir.
She has watched with interest the development of Llandegfedd Watersports Centre from the first planning applications, through the turf cutting ceremony in pouring rain in 2013 and attended the formal Opening in 2015.
Five races were held with about 20 sailors were competing, coming from the South Wales Region including Llangorse Sailing Club and Cardiff Bay Yacht Club.
"They were sailing Optimists, Toppers and Lasers," explained Llandegfedd sailing club commodore Andy Howard.
"The Cymru Youth Racing Circuit (CYRC) is the first step for most sailors on the youth racing scene, taking them to clubs other than their own in the local area.
"There is a training fleet that is allowed to receive a little coaching as they progress around the race course to provide encouragement.
"As they develop their racing skills, further opportunities exist for wider travel, and many will go to the RYA Zone championships in Pembroke later this month.
"The wind and weather were perfect, not too hot and enough wind to give some excitement without causing trouble. Judging by the smiles on their faces everyone had a thoroughly good time."
There were medal prizes and 50th Anniversary mugs from Llandegfedd Sailing Club. These results were then added into the regional results from other CYRCs to provide the overall Series winners.