Cambridgeshire Youth League 2025 event at Grafham Water Sailing Club

Isabella Rooke and Sophia Hardcastle - Cambridgeshire Youth League at Grafham Water © Hilary Talbot

The second leg of the Cambridgeshire Youth Sailing League took place at Grafham Water Sailing Club on Saturday 14th June. Despite the forecast for strong winds, 33 intrepid young sailors from the participating clubs: Ely SC, Hunts SC, Cam SC and Grafham Water SC, set sail in gusty conditions.

For quite a few of them it was their first experience of racing. Hannah Wilcox, from the Royal Yachting Association, gave these novice sailors some handy hints and tips before they went afloat.

Race 1 saw several of the younger and less experienced sailors sail back to shore after the start. All credit to them for going afloat in conditions they had probably never sailed in before. At the front of the fleet, those who had been racing for several years were relishing the tricky conditions.

Despite many capsizes everyone came ashore smiling for lunch, with the first three places taken by Josh Blackman Northwood from Hunts SC, Kieran Vanhoutte from Ely SC and Edward Human from Ely SC.

Kieran Vanhoutte, second overall - Cambridgeshire Youth League at Grafham Water - photo © Hilary Talbot

After lunch several of those who had found race one very challenging decided to give it another go, with 29 of the fleet setting sail again.

The wind had certainly not moderated and several strong squalls were seen coming across the lake from the south-west. Again, Josh dominated, followed this time by Grafham sailors Jacob Jull and William Swann. Race three followed swiftly on and was completed by 20 of the competitors, many of whom were probably very tired by this point. Again, Josh dominated, followed by Kieran and Jacob.

Huge kudos to all those who managed to complete all three races, and especially Athan Pullinger from Cam SC, who despite several capsizes and a boat very low in the water due to having taken on a lot of water during his capsizes, insisted on sailing back to shore unaided. Athan was awarded second under 12 at the prize-giving. Also battling round the course and finishing all three races in Oppies were Dotty West from Cams SC finishing in 11th place and Sophia Hardcastle from Grafham in 15th.

Dotty West - Cambridgeshire Youth League at Grafham Water - photo © Hilary Talbot

First Under 12 place went to Isaac Wilcox from Hunts SC who posted an excellent ninth position in race 2 in his Topper 4.2.

Prizes in the Under 15 category went to Samual Rule from Grafham in second place and Edward Human from Ely in first.

Overall results went to Jacob Jull from Grafham in third, Kieran Vanhoute from Ely in Second and Josh the clear winner with three first places in a Topper.

The youngest competitor prize was awarded to Ellie Butler Baines from Grafham, with the Endeavour prize going to Isabella Rooke in a Laser Bug who completed all three races coming 16th overall. The Team Prize was won by Grafham Water SC, with Jacob, William, Samual, Freddie Reeves and Lucas Rooke contributing their scores to the overall trophy.

Many thanks to John Aston and his team for the race management and safety cover. We look forward to the next CYL event at Ely SC on Saturday 5th July.

Team Grafham- William, Freddie, Jacob, Lucas, Samual - Cambridgeshire Youth League at Grafham Water - photo © Hilary Talbot

Overall Results: