Scots Sailors Compete at UK Youth Championships 2024
The event held at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy during the Easter break (1-5 April) is the annual competitive test following the winter training block and leads to qualification to the British Youth Sailing Teams.
The fleet saw strong winds leading to a disrupted schedule with race management teams making the most of improved conditions when they came. Champions were crowned across six classes as iQFOiL windfoilers joined sailors in the 420, Nacra 15, 29er, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets at the pinnacle youth racing event.
Amongst the podium sailors was Dan Macgregor from Dalgety Bay SC who medalled in the IQFOiL fleet and commented on the success.
“It was a great weeks racing, we got out everyday. There was a good mix of condition, it felt pretty low wind at the start of the week and built throughout to 30 knots at the end of the week. I felt I had pretty consistent set of results which was great.
“I was really pleased to win the bronze medal after coming in to the medal races in 5th place overall. And it was especially good winning the quarter and semifinal races. I really felt the benefit of the support from Sports Scotland and RYA Scotland.”
The iQFOiLers experienced a mix of slalom and course racing formats for their opening series and managed racing everyday despite the strong winds that held other fleets ashore at times, as well as a knockout medal series in the iQFOiLs.
"What’s great about the RYA Youth Nationals is that, whether you’re pushing for the front of the fleet or you’re here for the first time, it’s a great learning and development opportunity for your sailing,” said RYA Youth Racing Manager Oli Woodcock.
“It’s been a great week. We’ve had a mix of conditions, some challenging conditions for everyone whether that was the race officers or the sailors. I’ve seen some really good courage and determination in these challenging conditions.”
“For people for whom it’s their first event, hopefully they’ve had a really good time and have learned a lot about how to sail the different classes,” Woodcock continued. “For people that are pushing for medals, hopefully it has given them a chance to practice performing under pressure, getting ready for the internationals in the summer.”
The first two days of the event had five racecourses, three in the Weymouth Bay and two in Portland harbour, racing was held in ideal wind conditions which allowed the race teams to get slightly ahead of the schedule. However Wednesday to Friday’s racing was held in stronger conditions and fleets raced in Portland Harbour using two racecourses and with fleets rotating throughout the day.
Interim Performance Manager Roy McCubbin was on site and noted.
"There was lots coming and going at the shore, and it was great to see Scottish sailors and parent teams working and supporting one another. Calum Wood from sportscotland joined us on the water for two days and got to meet the sailors, parents and volunteers."
"Although the event was a non-coached regatta the organisers had a team of around 10 coaches who gave excellent morning briefs to all, were on the water throughout the day and full course debriefs with discussions after racing each day. Half of the main academy hanger was a dedicated sailor hub alongside parent sessions with sport science and the RYA teams, plenty coffee and cakes!"
Scots sailors taking part included:
- ILCA6 woman - Macy Law (Largs SC)
- ILCA6 men - Ruairi Herrington (Largs SC), Cameron McDaid (Largs SC), Alistair MacKinnon (East Lothian YC), Roo Purves (East Lothian YC)
- IQFOiL - Rhona Hopley (Clyde Windsurfing Club), Euan Lindsay (Clyde Windsurfing Club), Dan MacGregor (Dalgety Bay SC)
- 29er - Finlay Davidson and Gregor Thomas (Dalgety Bay SC), Ben Homer (Dalgety Bay SC) and Thomas Looseley (St Andrews SC)
Full results are available on the RYA Youth Nationals event website.