Single point decides T15 windsurfing series winner 

It was a nail biting finish for the six teams of windsurfing youngsters, 62 competitors in all, who braved the tail of hurricane Katia in Poole Harbour on Saturday (10 September) to take part in the Team15 South Zone Interclub Regatta.

One point separated the eventual winner, the Oxford Zoomers from Farmoor, from the runners up, the Axbridge Animals, from Axbridge in this, the last in the 2011 southern series.

Although both teams had scored two first and two seconds in the four-event series, a ‘count back’ system enabled The Zoomers, sponsored by Tushingham, to go through to the Champions’ Cup National Final which will be held at 08 - 09 October 2011 at Northampton Sailing Club.

Local Poole team, the Academy All Stars, played host to the Oxford Zoomers from Farmoor, the Queen Mary Skimmers, the Manic Monkeys from Bray, the Axbridge Animals from Axbridge and the Calshot Flyers.

There was plenty of family rivalry amongst the youngsters, who were all between the ages of 8 and 15. Strong performances were put in by the Barnwell brothers from Queen Mary, the Waite sisters from Poole, the Adcock sisters from Poole, and the Horton sisters from Poole. All sailed very well to contribute significantly to their overall team results.

Meanwhile Ben Tweedle, aged 9, made his mark in the 4.5m fleet against his fellow competitors, many of whom are a good deal older than him, especially given the very testing conditions. Undeterred also were Libby Rodgers and Molly Densely Robbins whose consistency in the 3.5m fleet gave them both overall podium positions. The Oxford Zoomers’ Chay Tudberry also sailed really well in the 4.5m fleet.

The smallest class, the 3.5m raced over a small upwind leg followed by a long cross the wind slalom leg. The rest of the classes, the 4.5m, 5.8m, 6.8m did an upwind and downwind leg twice with a slalom leg to finish.

“The sailors did very well to sail and perform in the conditions, and though we set a course to accommodate the weather it was still very tough,” commented event organiser Chris Lewis. “All races were very close and competitive, apart from a flyer taken by two of the older kids in the 6.8m class who mistook a distant cross-channel ferry marker for a mark of the course!”

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde. T15 was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level.

Fun and informal training sessions take place at T15 clubs all over the country for kids up to the age of 15, which are run weekly by specialist RYA coaches.

The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills.

Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low. To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.