RYA Team15 Windsurfing Competition 2009 – round three results
North Lincs Invaders leave the fleet in their wake
The Derwent Devils welcomed the Team15 fleet to Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club on Sunday 28th June for the third event in the four match series. This was the first Team15 event ever to be held at the Reservoir and some members of the fleet had difficulty finding the correct county never mind the right lake! However, everyone arrived safely, to one of the windiest sailing clubs in England; on Sunday however, the wind chose to have an off-day. Despite the light winds, grey skies and drizzle the competitors had a fantastic weekend, training and racing, thanks to the hospitality of Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club.
Despite a variety of holiday and exam commitments, 44 youngsters (all 15yrs and under) took part, separated into classes by sail size. As usual, the biggest fleet was in the 3.5m class with eighteen young windsurfers all battling to be first. Six members of the newly formed Derwent Devils took part in this class, ranging in age from eight year old Charlie Tose, the youngest member of the Team15 fleet, up to fourteen year old Izzy Bolt and Lottie Philips. The winner of the 3.5m fleet was eleven year old Oliver Anderson from Pugneys Pirates, winning four out of the five races. Oliver was chased in every race by Jacob Newton and Lewis Russell from North Lincs Invaders.
The competition in the larger sail classes was equally well fought, especially in the 4.5m class, with the North Lincs Invaders scoring a clean sweep from 1st to 5thplace. First and second places in this class were separated by just one point between 12yr old Charlotte Seal and the eventual winner, 11yr old Jordan Houran. Max Bushell continued the winning form for North Lincs by winning the 6.8m class but the Invaders did not have it all their own way and the crown in the 5.5m class went to 13yr old Kathryn Durham from Pugneys Pirates.
For the third time in the series the team prize went to North Lincs Invaders who are now leaving the other North Zone Team15 clubs in their wake. With one more event left in the four match series the North Zone 2008 Team15 Champions look invincible in 2009.
The next round of the RYA North Zone Team15 championship moves to the far south of the zone in July, when the competition calls in at Covenham Reservoir, Lincolnshire on Sunday 12th July.
RYA Team15 results – Derwent Reservoir (to 5th place)
3.5m
1. Oliver Anderson Pugneys Pirates
2. Lewis Rssell Nth Lincs Invaders
3. Jacob Newton Nth Lincs Invaders
4. Benjamin Calvert Pugneys Pirates
5. Jack Dunn Nth Lincs Invaders
4.5m
1. Jordan Houran Nth Lincs Invaders
2. Charlotte Seal Nth Lincs Invaders
3. Jack Lennon Nth Lincs Invaders
4. Ben Welch Nth Lincs Invaders
5. Max Butler Nth Lincs Invaders
5.5m
1. Kathryn Durham Pugneys Pirates
2. Robert Griffiths Nth Lincs Invaders
3. Lewis May Nth Lincs Invaders
4. Noah Knapton Derwent Devils
5. Alex Baldock Covenham Cyclones
6.8m
1. Max Bushell Nth Lincs Invaders
2. Joe Dickinson Covenham Cyclones
3. Luke Raistrick Pugneys Pirates
4. Robert York Covenham Cyclones
5. Tom Harding Pugneys Pirates
Supported by industry leaders Neilson, Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, 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 find your local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.
