The UKLA Sailingfast Youth Series: Year End Update
by Ben Nicholls 18 Dec 2019 07:34 GMT
UKLA Sailingfast Youth Series: James Foster (1st Radial Boy) © UKLA
The UKLA's new Sailingfast Youth Series started in September and we have completed the schedule for 2019. In just three months of sailing over 150 youth sailors that have entered and raced, suggesting the Youth Laser Class is alive and well throughout the UK.
Autumn Entries for UKLA Sailingfast Youth Series:
- Laser 4.7 : 54
- Laser Radial Boys : 84 (50 Boys / 34 Girls)
- Laser Standard : 18
The first event was the hugely popular Poole YC Youth Laser Open, the wind did not behave on one of the days, but some great racing took place for the 4.7s and Radials. Next up was the 1st UKLA Autumn Qualifier at Sunderland YC, this was also being used as a Squad Selection event by the RYA. The 2nd UKLA Autumn Qualifier was held at WPNSA, always a very popular venue with the Lasers. Unfortunately, only 1 race was completed at Hayling Island, so the results do not count towards the Sailingfast Youth Series. The final Autumn event was the UKLA Inland Championships at Grafham Water SC.
The Laser 4.7 is a hugely popular class throughout Europe, the major championships attracting over 400 sailors under the age of 18, with a sub-group for the under 16s. GBR has enjoyed international successes in recent years and there are extensive training opportunities open to all of UKLA's youth sailors. Sailors transition into the Laser 4.7 from boats like the Optimist, Topper and RS Tera in order to enjoy the vast array of competition available to the fleet. Sailors begin thinking about the Laser 4.7 when they are approx. 45kg, it is at this age many kids experience significant growth, so it is not long before they are taller and stronger and able to compete internationally (50-65kg).
The Sailingfast Youth Series for 4.7s is scoring 4 events so far this Autumn and the top 3 sailors are separated by only 3 points. Grafham Water's 15-year-old Jack Graham-Troll is the current leader, closely followed by Thomas Williamson(Weir Wood SC), with Parkstone YC's Freddie Howarth in 3rd. Carys Attwell (Rutland Water SC) leads the girls, with Alice Snook |(HISC) 2nd and Leigh& Lowton's Leah Fidling in 3rd, level on points with Honor Proctor (Cardiff Bay SC).
Full Standard Rig results here.
The Laser Radial is the largest Youth Class in the world, GBR has a strong fleet and the future looks healthy. Many of the Boys use the Radial as a transition onto the larger Standard rig, sailors are typically 60kg+ but fitness is key in the Laser and it is a fact that the fittest in the fleet tend to be at the front of the fleet.
RYA Youth Champion James Foster (Poole YC) leads the boys after 4 regattas this Autumn. Nick Welbourn (Hykenham SC) is 2nd and HISC's Finley Dickinson is in bronze medal position.
Full Boys Radial Rig results here.
The Radial Girls have enjoyed some good racing also, the fleet of 34 sailors is currently lead by Scotland's own Christine Wood (Clyde Cruising Club), 2 points behind her is Coco Barrett (Island Barn SC), with Hollowell's Gemma McDonnell in bronze.
Full Girls Radial Rig results here.
The Laser Standards have scored 3 regattas; Sunderland, Weymouth and Grafham Inlands. Top of the pile is Joe Drake (Royal Norfolk & Suffolk YC), but just 1 point behind and 1st Under 19 is Manor Park SC's Krishan Bhogal. Ben Childerley (Royal Southern YC) is in third.
Full results here.
Many of the UKLA sailors are competing in Portugal (Vilamoura) and Spain (Palamos) over the Christmas period. We would like to thank SailingFast for their fabulous support and encouragement of the U21 Laser fleets in the UK and we look forward to a great 2020.