RSX YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS, HAYLING ISLAND

Report by Jacob Brubert

Hayling Island Sailing Club set a magnificent stage to host this year’s Youth Nationals and Trials. The event is a culmination of the winter’s training in the RYA squads, and is the largest domestic event in the youth calendar. The RS:X youth class was competing along with all the other international youth classes, primarily to find a team to represent Great Britain at the Youth Worlds, to be held at Lake Ontario, Canada. The event is the equivalent of the “youth Olympics” for sailing, and the team is selected to bring back as many medals as possible!

The colossal event ran from 9-14 April, with over 300 competitors taking part. Even the excellent facilities at Hayling Island Sailing Club were pushed to their limit. Unfortunately this meant the RS:Xs were placed at the end of the causeway, well positioned to get onto the water – though rather far from the action at the club.

The first day of racing was void of action, with the RS:X class not leaving the beach. Having to share a course with the 29er dinghies meant that not everyone could race simultaneously. Day two looked to be heading in rather the same direction as day one, fortunately a slight breeze settled in at around 3 o’clock, after the 29ers had raced, the RS:X’s were sent round a course in Chichester harbour in dying winds. Elliot Carney managed the first bullet of the week, leading for the whole course. Jacob Brubert came in second, and Richard Hamilton third. Andrew Petts, one of the four independent sailors at the event, made a good start in 5th. Unfortunately, as the sun set, the wind went.

Day 3 seemed to be the most promising for the week, hopefully offering some planing winds. The RS:X’s were first out, though by the start the wind had dropped too much for a formula-style race. With most the fleet opting to start at the port end, several sailors were over the line too early, and everyone was called back for a general recall. Fortunately everyone got away cleanly under a black flag on the next start (disqualification if over the line in the last minute). Richard Hamilton showed the fleet why he was reigning youth national champion, finishing well ahead in the tough gusty conditions. Kim Jiskoot also made the most of the conditions finishing second. The wind continued to die for the second race, keen to get as much racing as possible in, the RS:Xs started under the black flag again. Once again Richard Hamilton took another well deserved win, and Kim Jiskoot finished second. Even in the gusty offshore winds the course became increasingly one-sided.

Day 4 started with a heavy mist, out on the course the wind died. The race committee were desperate to get more races in, so took the fleet to the other side of Hayling Bay. The wind came in at 5-7knots, so two races were possible. Jacob Brubert won the first race, though surprisingly the top three; Richard Hamilton, Kim Jiskoot and Elliot Carney were well down the fleet. The second race saw Elliot and Jacob battling for first place, Jacob took his second victory of the day. This meant that going into the last day Richard Hamilton and Jacob Brubert were on equal points.

The final day dawned with several sailors praying for no wind! The RS:Xs were the only class to race on the last day. The wind changed direction just before the start, causing some confusion on the start line. Richard Cleworth managed to get away from the fleet, leading for the whole race to win. Richard Hamilton managed to beat Jacob Brubert, despite both finishing well down the fleet. Richard was crowned Youth National Champion, and will represent Great Britain at the Youth Worlds. Due to exams and injuries Kirsten O’Callaghan was the only girl, and she will join Richard at the Worlds. Andrew Petts finished first independent sailor. The rest of the year will be made up of competing at UKWA events, and at international events, such as the RS:X youth worlds in Sopot, Poland.

Overall, despite the tricky conditions the event was great fun. There was some really tight racing- and the results are evidence of it with so many people tied on points. Hayling Island Sailing Club did a magnificent job, and hopefully next year’s event at Pwhelli will be just as successful, let’s get some more RS:X’s out on the water!

L-R: Jacob Brubert, Richard Hamilton, Elliot Carney, and Girls Champion- Kirsten O’Callaghan