Please select your home edition
Edition
Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025

Royal London Yacht Club Etchells Youth Academy

by Jan Ford 19 Apr 2024 16:52 BST
Royal London Yacht Club Etchells Youth Academy © RLYC

On Saturday 13th April, eight Etchells Academy youth boats competed in the Youth Academy trials following 5 weekends of intense training on and off the water, led by David Bedford and Duncan Truswell and the Race Committee from the Royal London Yacht Club.

With a 15 knot South Westerly breeze predicted to increase through the day the decision was taken to set the race course East of Osborne Bay.

Race one saw the youngest team from Greig City Academy (sailing as a 3) take a win onboard Palaver, proving very quick upwind, followed closely by bow 57 skippered by Harry Cowell, David Bromilow's Audrey came in 3rd.

The second of the 6 races on day one saw, Hamish Pimm on Astrid take the first of 4 wins in a dominant display. Only Palaver would take another win on day one in race 3. A notable improvement was seen throughout the day onboard Sumo - Maisie Harkness, with a 5th, 6th and 7th place.

At the end of the first day Astrid was comfortably in first place, Kai Hockley in 2nd on Palaver with David Bromilow's Audrey looking strong in 3rd.

The race committee 's work was outstanding, with very short delays between racing and very good courses set in the shifty conditions.

Sunday morning saw a 2 hour AP displayed due to the lack of wind, but the motivation of the fleet was clear as they hung on and were rewarded by a steady 14 knot breeze. The course was set right next to 4N, a buoy named in tribute to legendary sailor Ben F Wood. With a strong flood tide there was a crucial tactical decision about whether to go right or left to avoid the stronger tide. 4N is right on the edge of the main channel and going too far left was likely to be costly. Audrey spotted this perfectly and went to the right, gaining a 1st and two 2nds during the day. Astrid was stuck out on the left for the first two races but produced an outstanding bullet in the last race to win the regatta on a tie break with Audrey. Palaver finished 3rd with Alison 4th.

Noteable performances on the second day came from Charlie Fernandez's Mano and Owen Colbern's Shamal achieving 2nd and 3rd places in individual races.

It was an honour to welcome the family of Ben Wood to the prize-giving.

7 Etchells have been awarded boats for the season to make a strong youth fleet and 31 new young sailors are now added to Etchells Fleet. The fleet had a pleasing diversity of ages, gender and ethnicity- perhaps a model for other sailing fleets around the UK.

Many thanks to David Beford and Duncan Truswell for their management of the whole Etchells Youth Academy, David Franks and David Mclean for the use of the boats and the coaching team who provided valuable tips for all of the fleet throughout the 5 weekends.

Related Articles

Tomes Cup 2025 at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
Sixty-seven boats enjoyed fair wind in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour The finale of the Top Dog Trophy Series 2024-2025 took place in Hong Kong on Saturday 3 May, completing the series of four pursuit races to determine the top-performing boat for the season. Posted on 6 May
Jesberg Wins Etchells Orca Bowl
Busch/Madden Win Etchells West Coast Spring Series The Orca Bowl wrapped up the 2025 Etchells West Coast Spring Series on April 26-27 with a 5-race regatta sailed by 33 teams on the ocean course off of Point Loma in San Diego, CA. Posted on 29 Apr
It's So Easy to Shop for Winning Sails Online
Shop North One Design sails online anytime for fast delivery Shop North One Design sails online anytime for fast delivery, in-stock availability, and podium-ready results. Don't wait, your next win starts here. Posted on 28 Apr
2025 Etchells Midwinters West in San Diego
Chris Busch wins tight battle after a dynamic three days of racing The 2025 Etchells Midwinters West, hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club and sailed on the Coronado Roads, delivered a dynamic three days of racing, concluding the third leg of the West Coast Spring Series with a hard-fought victory by Chris Busch Posted on 1 Apr
Etchells Corinthian Cup set to rock Moreton Bay
A brand-new regatta that will take place in April The sailing community is buzzing with excitement as we announce the inaugural Etchells Corinthian Cup, a brand-new regatta that will take place on the stunning waters of Moreton Bay, the same course used for the 2018 Etchells World Championships Posted on 17 Mar
Volvo Ladies Helm 2025 at RHKYC
Female skippers aboard the 47 boats across seven classe On the International Women's Day on Saturday 8 March, the Club hosted the annual Volvo Ladies Helm Day on Saturday with female skippers aboard the 47 boats across seven classes joining forces to celebrate and recognise women's achievements worldwide. Posted on 10 Mar
Etchells Pacific Coast Championship in San Diego
Argyle Campbell and crew capture the title The 2025 Etchells Pacific Coast Championship, hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club, delivered an intense and tactical weekend of racing on the Coronado Roads, where Argyle Campbell and crew racing Rock On emerged as the overall winners. Posted on 24 Feb
Etchells Biscayne Bay Winter Series concludes
A season of challenges, triumphs, and tight racing The 2025 Biscayne Bay Series concluded with the US East Coast Midwinters, held February 14-16, delivering an exciting finale with eight races—doubling the total number of races sailed in the previous three events combined. Posted on 20 Feb
SDYC to host Etchells North American Championship
The event in San Diego expects to see over 50 boats registered San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) and Etchells Fleet 13 will host the 2025 Etchells North American Championship May 14-18, 2025. Set in San Diego's ocean venue, Coronado Roads, this event promises exciting racing and world-class hospitality. Posted on 16 Feb
The engine room
Without them we are lost. This is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick. Without them we are lost. This is not about the tiny little room under the companionway stairs. Rather, it is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick.Yes. The rags. Only, they are anything but for wiping up spills. They are supreme tech. Posted on 9 Feb