RS200 Youth Championships at Itchenor Sailing Club

RS200 fleet racing is always close and competitive © LPB Aerial Imagery / www.lpbaerial.com

The RS200 Youth Champs began last weekend by showing us just how strong the tides in the Chichester Harbour can be and putting our light winds sailing techniques to the test.

The first race got started after all 27 boats had sailed to the course which was a race in itself. It was the tide you had to get right! The speedy pair Murray Hampshire & Pheobe Warren managed to get away and take the win.

Throughout the day the wind slowly dropped making the conditions tougher and choosing the correct side of the course was key to having a good race. Day one ended with DWSC's 1270 Alex Smallwood & Callum Farnden in the lead.

Day two and the wind was lighter than the day before. Luckily the tide was with the fleet on the way to the race course, and race four hit off with a gentle breeze. Halfway down the first run the wind dropped to nearly nothing making getting a clear lane after rounding the leeward gate an important factor!

Race five was led and won by Murray Hampshire and Phoebe Warren. The wind had completely dropped by this point and the racers were debating whether the race team would be able to run any more races in conditions like this, but if it hadn't have timed itself any better a gentle sea breeze and a 180 degree turn filled throughout the course.

The team reset the marks and off we went with races 6 and 7. This wind suited Morgan Peach and Bethan Matthew perfectly having two consecutive wins to take second place overall.

A big well done to:

• Youth Champions: Alex Smallwood & Callum Farnden
• Junior Champions: Tom Ahlheid & Tristan Ahlheid
• Overall Event Winners: Murray Hampsire & Pheobe Warren

A greatly contested event and amazing sailing from all, it was great to see so many youth sailors over the weekend and we all hope to see you again next year!!

Thanks to Itchenor SC and all the sailors.

Overall Results: