128 entrants compete at 30th West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association Regatta

Above photo credit Warwick Baker

Roger Belton, Association Secretary, takes up the story:

It was wonderful to see so many young people having fun and enjoying the company of their friends, participating in a sport that they love.

National Coastwatch Institute (NCI) Support

From the vantage point of the NCI station there was a perfect view out over the race areas on the sea, and also along the short sail down the river Adur from the club house to the Shoreham harbour entrance. With a number of ship movements, yacht traffic, a big spring tide and changing weather, there was a lot for the safety team standing on the station balcony to monitor, and they were ably supported by the NCI volunteers providing ready access to weather radar, AIS traffic display and high resolution video from across the whole bay.

Saturday racing

After comprehensive race and safety briefings, and a sudden deluge of almost biblical proportions, the racers were launched under the watchful eyes of the crews of 12 safety boats.

In near perfect conditions of good breezes and gentle swell the Fast and Medium Fleets packed in three races while the Slow Fleet and Rookies completed just two.

At the end of the first day the clear leaders were Sebastian Gatton from Crawley Mariners YC in a Topper sailing in the Slow Fleet, with Jack Gardner and George Long from Bishop Luffa School sailing a RS Feva XL in the Medium Handicap fleet, feeling very pleased with three bullets.

Sunday racing

Sunday morning had the Race Officers, Safety Officer, Event Director & Deputy Event Director in deep consultation around forecast lightning and a strengthening wind, neither of which materialised, but in deference to the skill of the sailors a decision was made to rest the Rookie Fleet, who had a great time on the beach instead.

Despite a rapid launch and transit to the race area, the race starts were delayed by the sailors being far more interested in watching a passing pod of dolphins than getting on with the far more important business of racing!

So who finished where….

When racing was done, Jack and George continued with a perfect score, and Sebastian did more than enough to secure his regatta win.

In the Fast Fleet things were tight at the top with just two points separating the first four racers. Sebastian's brother Oliver took top slot in his ILCA 6, closely followed by Josie Kelly of Felpham SC in her ILCA 4, with Fin Geri (also Felpham) ILCA 6 and Matthew Board of Bishop Luffa School also in an ILCA 6, both on equal points.

For the Rookies, Harry Farrands of Dell Quay SC in a Pico took first place. Just two points behind and tied on points were Freddie Pearson, also in a Dell Quay Pico, and Isla Cookson and Alfred Brosnan sailing a Feva for Adur SC.

A special guest at prizegiving

A major highlight of prizegiving was 89 years old Shoreham member and Olympic sailor, Alan Warren, who proudly wore his silver medal from the 1972 Olympics in Munich sailing a Tempest.  Alan had a massive smile from ear to ear as he presented the prizes. Besides about 40 podium and class prizes there were spot prizes generously donated by Fine Designs and event sponsors Lagoon Watersports & Ocean Sports Board Riders.

The much coveted and sought after Team Trophy was awarded to an ecstatic Worthing SC team after many years of Felpham dominance. The Russell Moore Trophy was awarded for outstanding effort in supporting the club through the year was awarded to Abi Brockhurst of Arun Youth Aqua Centre.

Photo - Abi at prize giving

Post race coaching

Jack Miller provided excellent after-racing coaching using video footage recorded during racing. This had a very interested audience around the large screen tv and helpfully filled the time while waiting for results processing.

Thank you to….

This event can only happen with the generous support of a huge number of volunteers bringing participants, dinghies and safety boats to the host club, and of course massive thanks for a huge effort by the Shoreham team that made this an excellent weekend to remember.

Results and photos:

Results can be found here ….and photos are available from here

The stats

• 99 dinghies entered from 10 clubs/schools/associations from across the county.
• 128 young people participated, 32 in two handed dinghies.
• 8 organisations/individuals brought RHIBs to help with safety and coaching, supplementing the Shoreham team.
• 19 different classes of dinghy were represented, from 29er to Optimist.

Every participant was awarded a regatta medal and a certificate, and about 50 participants came away with a podium prize, or a spot prize.

Hidden behind the statistics is the fun that participants had with their friends. For many it was their first experience sailing in a big fleet, in a different location from their home club. Well done to those on the podium places, and an even bigger well done to those who had their first regatta experience this weekend.

Steve says…..

Steve Mitchell (RYA Regional Manager London and South East) dropped by on Saturday morning to lend his support to the event, and talk to parents and team managers. Steve said: "This was another well organised event by Shoreham Sailing Club and WSSYSA, bringing together a very impressive number of junior and youth sailors from Sussex sailing clubs and centres. A great response also from the network of clubs and centres who get behind this event and work tirelessly to support their sailors, many of whom are sailing away from their own club for the first time to join a team regatta."

Find out more….

……about WSSYSA and Shoreham Sailing Club