P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series Round 1 at Draycote Water Sailing Club

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series Round 1 at Draycote Water © Norman Byrd

The opening event of this year's Pinnell & Bax Northamptonshire Youth Series took place on the 13th of May at a sunny, but not so windy Draycote Water SC. Sailors from Draycote, Hollowell, Northampton and Shustoke attended.

After a short briefing the sailors split into three groups, slow handicap, fast handicap and toppers. Coaches from the home club took the sailors through a variety of exercises in the morning. The emphasis was on doing the basic things well, particularly as some sailors were just back on the water from a winter rest up.

The wind, although light, proved strong enough for a couple of capsizes, although it is never always clear whether they were recreational capsizes or not! After a couple of hours practicing the fleets joined together to practice a start using the automated light sequence that Draycote use.

With plenty of noisy encouragement from the coaches the 3 fleets managed an extremely good start and headed in for lunch.

Coaching session - P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series Round 1 at Draycote Water - photo © Norman Byrd

More or less bang on time the race office got the racing under way, we always wait for everyone to get on the water. The breeze had become a little fitful, but 3 races were successfully completed. The coaches provided plenty of on the water encouragement and advice, outside assistance is positively encouraged for less experienced sailors.

First timers to the series, Mia and Mona from Draycote racing their RS Feva, won all three fast handicap races from Hatty, Shustoke and Draycote, in her ILCA 4. Third were Ben and Laurie from Draycote also in a Feva. The toppers were the largest fleet with 12 5.3 entrants plus several 4.2s in the slow handicap fleet.

Keali, Draycote/Northampton, won the first two races giving her the fleet win from Alex, Hollowell, who won the third race. Peter, Draycote, came third counting a 2,3. Noah, Draycote, won all three slow fleet races in his optimist. Amelie, Draycote/Hollowell, was second in her optimist, whilst Finn, Hollowell came third in his optimist.

Noah Byrd, 1st overall - P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series Round 1 at Draycote Water - photo © Norman Byrd

After the all-important sailors' tea, including some wonderful homemade cakes, the prize-giving took place. The most important sailors are always the first timers, and 9 medals were awarded to sailors who hadn't taken part in any previous NYS events. The top three sailors were awarded beautiful trophies as well as first, second and third place fleet medals. Third overall was Alex scoring 4,5,3. Second were Mia and Mona with 2,2,2. First overall was Draycote's Noah, with a 1,1,1. Mia and Mona were never more than 30 seconds behind Noah on adjusted time.

The next event is at Hollowell on 24th June. All sailors under 19 are welcome to attend, from any club. The day will start with a briefing at 9:15am, be rigged and ready to go!

Overall Results: