Abi and Charlie set for National Powerboating Championship final 

Representing the Northwest region...

The best two young powerboat drivers from the Northwest Region are preparing for battle at the National Finals of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, which will be held on Sunday 18 September at the PSP Southampton Boat Show.  

The Northwest’s two young champions are Abi Duckworth,15, from Glossop Sailing Club, and  Charlie Telford,12, of Maryport & Solway Sea Cadets. The two star drivers will compete in their respective age classes of 13-16 and 8-12 years. They each won the Regional titles in these age classes in July at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, and now have the chance to go head to head against other Regional Champions for the National titles.    

The Honda RYA Youth RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) Championship is Britain’s leading programme introducing kids to powerboating and training them to be safe, proficient drivers and excellent boat handlers.  

As at the regional finals, competitors at Southampton will race against the clock on a tight slalom course, which thoroughly tests the drivers, requiring both speed and finesse.  

Abi has experience behind her, saying, “I am really looking forward to going to Southampton Boat Show final for the second time.”  

The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship, sponsored by Honda and Ribcraft, is a National Championship in which 8-16 year old RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) drivers can demonstrate their boat handling skills in a race against the clock in the hope of winning a 5m Ribcraft or Honwave T40 for their club.  

David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda said: "We are extremely proud that in this our 10th year of sponsoring the Youth RIB Championship, together with the RYA, we continue to inspire and encourage more young people then ever before to pursue their passion for boating, and also give them the skills too. It allows us to underline our commitment to safety and best practice, something which we take extremely seriously as a major manufacturer of engines and inflatables."  

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Ribcraft.  

For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit www.rya.org.uk/programmes/hondayouthrib