West Midlands power boat champs rev up for national final 

Hannah and Henry to represent West Midlands at final of Honda RYA Youth RIB championship

Despite dealing with the difficult weather conditions of strong winds and choppy waters, it was 12 year old Hannah Stevens and 15 year old Henry Andrew who romped home to claim victory at the West Midlands regional final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, held at Blithfield Sailing Club, Abbots Bromley over the weekend (5 September).  

Hannah and Henry will now go on to represent the region and compete against the UK’s top RIB driving talent at the final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship this weekend (13 September) at the PSP Southampton Boat Show.  

The youngsters proved their skills out on the water as they manoeuvred around the pre-set course which included slalom, man overboard and reversing whilst maintaining a fast, controlled speed.  

With a time of 1:24.40 Hannah, a member of Blithfield Sailing Club took that top spot in the 8-12 age group.  Fending off competition from the other 12 competitors in the class, Hannah claimed her third regional champions’ crown.  “I’m really happy and very surprised to have won for a third time”, commented Hannah.  

In the 13-16 age group Henry, also a Blithfield Sailing Club member, clinched the winners spot putting in a time of 1:09 ahead of Michael Grendy also of Blithfield and Oliver Goodhead of South Staffs Sailing Club.  “I’m pretty surprised to have won but very excited about going to the final”, said Andrew.  

Hannah and Henry will be racing to win a brand new 4.8m Ribcraft RIB powerboat with a 50hp Honda four stroke engine on an Indespension trailer, equipped with an Icom IC-M505 VHF radio, for their club, RGYC.

Event organiser Andy Felthouse said: “The conditions weren’t perfect out on the water but all the competitors did extremely well.  We had a fantastic turnout with 24 competitors from five different clubs.  Home club Blithfield put on a great show claiming five of the top six podium places.  

"We’ll all be rooting for Hannah and Henry at the finals this weekend, hoping they bring the winner’s crowns back to the West Midlands.”  

Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for event sponsor Honda said: "We are very proud and pleased to be associated with the RYA Youth RIB Challenge for another year because it allows us to create links with the wider community - giving a younger generation access to our products and helping them engage with interactive, team based, social activities. Furthermore, as a manufacturer which puts safety at the heart of everything we do, the RIB Challenge gives us a great opportunity to underline this commitment."  

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda, Ribcraft, ICOM and Indespension Trailers.