Craftinsure Lark Youth Championship and Pre Nationals Training at Weymouth Sailing Club

Enkels on form during the Craftinsure Lark Youth Championship at Weymouth © Sam Brearey & Tye Shuttleworth

The Craftinusre Lark Youth Championships and Pre Nationals Training took place over the weekend of 18-19 April at Weymouth Sailing Club, bringing together a keen fleet of 10 boats for a mix of focused coaching and competitive racing.

Saturday's coaching day was led by head coach Sam Brearey, with sessions tailored to sailors of all abilities, ranging from those who had never sailed a Lark before to sailors in the top five at last year's Nationals. The fleet focused on starting technique, downwind manoeuvres, and upwind boat speed, with clear improvements visible across the board. Many sailors commented on the personalised nature of the coaching and the immediate gains they were able to make.

The training saw a wide range of conditions, with the breeze building from around 12 knots to over 20 knots as the day progressed. On saturday evening, after a debrief with Sam, Weymouth Sailing Club hosted a well-received evening meal, while some of the more seasoned Lark sailors retired to the pub to share stories of "back in their day"

Training action during the Craftinsure Lark Youth Championship at Weymouth - photo © Sam Brearey & Tye Shuttleworth

With a revised format for this year's event allowing non-youths to race, provided they did not interfere with the overall results, the 10 strong fleet launched at 8am, bleary-eyed but eager to put their new skills into practice.

In the opening race, Alex and Rhona Enkel (Waldringfield) showed their starting prowess and upwind boatspeed, leading from the gun and never looking back. Behind them, George Graham and Jess Hooker (Locks SC) secured second place, with Hannah Carruthers and Isobel Stewart (Frensham Pond) applying pressure throughout the race. Jai and Amber Sanehi (Barnt Green) sailed consistently to take fourth. Leo and Erin led the Weymouth boats to finish fifth and unfortunately had a leaky bailer so were unable to complete the remaining races.

Race two followed a similar pattern at the front, with Alex and Rhona once again demonstrating impressive control to lead from start to finish. This time, Hannah Carruthers and Isobel Stewart rounded second, followed by George and Jess. Hannah and Isobel ploughed on despite the dying breeze to finish second, Jai and Amber Sanehi showed excellent pace, powering past George and Jess on the second beat, securing third place out of the youth boats, being beaten on the water by the wiley locals Tim and Celia. Dan and Lewis from Weymouth showed great perseverance in challenging conditions

In the dying breeze the majority of the fleet headed for an early shower, leaving just 4 boats out in the bayfor the third race. Alex and Rhona started strongly to round the first mark ahead of Hannah and Isobel, with Jai and Amber close behind. A 90-degree wind shift during the triangle leg forced the race officer to reposition the mark, catching out much of the fleet. Only George and Jess noticed, smashing the right-hand side of the course to round just behind the Enkels. Jai and Amber fought back into contention on the final leg, overtaking George and Jess on the final beat to secure second behind the ever-consistent Alex and Rhona.

With three wins from three, Alex and Rhona had already secured the championship heading into the final race, but the battle for the remaining podium places was wide open. Jai, Hannah, and George were tied on points, setting up a nail-biting finale.

Following a general recall (George definitely not to blame) the fleet got away cleanly at the second attempt. This time, Alex and Rhona did not have it all their own way off the line, finding themselves spat out the back by George and Jess, and Hannah and Isobel. George and Jess rounded the first mark in the lead, but by the bottom of the triangle Alex and Rhona had fought back, showing their class to retake control at the leeward mark and sail away to another victory.

George and Jess held on for second place, while Jai and Amber delivered another strong performance to take third and round out the podium. An individual debrief with Sam for each sailor followed racing with lots to take away and work on for future events

Alex and Rhona join an esteemed list of Lark Youth Championship winners, including national champions Ed Bradburn and Nick Hydon. I have no doubt they will be adding their names to the list of 'senior' national championships winners in the future.

Craftinsure Lark Youth Championship at Weymouth - photo © Sam Brearey & Tye Shuttleworth

Huge thanks to the team at Weymouth Sailing Club for putting on a great event with 4 home boats in attendance, the next event is Rock over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, enter here.

Overall Results: