P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series Round 1 at Middle Nene Sailing Club

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Middle Nene © David Livingstone

Noah Byrd wins the P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Middle Nene © David Livingstone

Well, if a certain Danish brewer did sailing clubs, Middle Nene might not win, but it would surely make the shortlist. A site of special scientific interest, moments from the A14 and Thrapston, but in the most beautiful setting along side the River Nene.

We were greeted by cuckoos calling and a fly-by of oyster catchers, surely one of our best native birds. The club has plenty of grassy rigging areas and the 25 sailors soon had their boats rigged and ready for the morning briefing. We always start with training in the morning, and finish with racing in the afternoon (and a wonderful tea!).

The sailors were coached by Dan, Matthew, Ru and Justin. The lake is big enough for several groups to be coached at once, and with easy launching everyone was soon afloat. The weather could not have been better, perhaps 6-8 knots building to 6 to 12, certainly windy enough for some sail washing later in the day. Suncream was certainly required.

Lunch was a very satisfactory sausage pasta, with seconds for everyone, including the fish! PRO Mark led the race briefing. A "P" course, made a little more challenging by the windy shifting. We race in three flights, fast fleet first, this year to include RS tera pro boats, then full rig toppers, then the slow fleet. The conditions were idyllic, reasonably windy, sunny and very warm. Mark did a great job in setting good courses with square start lines. A rib led the sailors on their first lap.

9 boats entered the fast fleet, a mixture of ILCAs, RS tera pros and a Feva XL. The Feva was crewed by the day's youngest sailor, Sophie. Alongside all of the first timers, she received her medal at the end of the day. Noah, ILCA 4, Draycote, won with 2 firsts and 2 points from Harry, Tera pro, Cransley with 3 points and Solomon, ILCA 4, Middle Nene 4 points. Close racing!

The Topper fleet was a little depleted with Hollowell's topper armada on duty at another event, but there were still 6 boats battling it out in glorious weather. Theo, Draycote, 2 points took first place from George, Middle Nene 3 points with Oliva, Northampton, 4 points coming third. George is so new to racing that this was his first event, one to watch out for perhaps!

The slow handicap was mainly made up of RS tera sports with a couple of optimists and a topper 4.2 in the mix. Esme, Middle Nene RS tera sport won with 2 points. Second was Isaac, Draycote topper 4.2 with 3 points. Henry, Trearddur Bay sailing club (yes, that's a sailing club in Anglesey) came the furthest and was third with 6 points.

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Middle Nene - photo © David Livingstone

Middle Nene once again set the standard for the sailors' tea, a table groaning with goodness. Not bad for a £10 entry fee for singlehanders!

Once Sailwave worked its magic (thank you Hannah) Noah was declared the overall winner, Harry was second and Solomon third.

Mark, as ebullient as ever, awarded some fantastic trophies.

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Middle Nene - photo © David Livingstone

6 first timers were awarded their medals, Isabelle, Chloe, George and Erica all from Middle Nene. James, Draycote, and Sophie, Northampton, also received a first timer medal.

The next event is at Northampton Sailing Club on the 7th June. All youth and junior sailors are welcome to attend, please keep an eye out on our facebook page. We're hoping for a bumper entry. Our events are ideal for sailors keen to try a new sailing and racing away from their home club. The races are coached, the sailing is relaxed and friendly, and the teas are magnificent! We're luck to be sponsored yet again by P&B. We'll announce this season's head coach before the next event!

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Middle Nene - photo © David Livingstone

Round 1 Results: