RYA Team15 Windsurfing Competition 2009 – round two results

North Lincs Invaders and Pugneys Pirates – first and second in team competition at halfway stage

Young windsurfers from across the north of England had a fantastic day’s racing at North Lincs Sailing Club, Barton upon Humber, on Sunday 31^st May. The annual RYA (Royal Yachting Association) North Zone Team15 youth windsurfing completion called in on Humberside for the second round of this four stage competition and conditions on the lake could not have been better.

43 youngsters (all 15yrs and under) took part, separated into classes by sail size.

The biggest fleet was in the 3.5m class with fourteen young windsurfers all battling to be first. Racing was incredibly tight and it was great to see four sailors from the new team Derwent Devils in this fleet. 11yr old Oliver Anderson (Pugneys Pirates) managed to win this class overall (winning eight out of nine races), with close competition from Toby Butler (North Lincs Invaders) who came in second, just ahead of team mate Jacob Newton in third.

The competition in the larger sail classes was no less fierce and with everything to play for every individual win counted for the overall team place. The club with the most points at the end of the series becomes the RYA North Zone Team15 Champion and goes on to compete in the Champions Cup against the other Zone Champions from around the UK.

10yr old Sarah Labourne (North Lincs Invaders) maintained her recent form by winning the 4.5m fleet, despite several swims in the morning. The 5.5m class was won by 12yr old Robert Griffiths, also from North Lincs Invaders, winning first place in six out of seven races.

In the 6.8 fleet, Robert York from the Covenham Cyclones maintained fantastic recent form with 5 firsts in 7 races against stiff competition from Emma Labourne (North Lincs Invaders), Joe Dickinson (Covenham Cyclones) and Luke Raistrick (Pugneys Pirates).

“These events are so much fun, and the conditions today were absolutely perfect!” said 13yr old Robert York. “It felt amazing to win the event!”

There was a real “feel-good factor” to the day, with the newly appointed Team15 RYA Zone Squad Ambassadors passing on top tips to the up and coming talent of the future. Having a BBC film crew on site filming for a forthcoming episode of Blue Peter, where presenter Andy goes windsurfing added to the entertainment on the day!

The team prize went to North Lincs Invaders for the second time this season, leaving the other teams a lot to do to catch them. Being in the lead at the halfway stage of the 2009 North Zone Team15 competition is the latest in a chain of great achievements for North Lincs Sailing Club. In May the club was awarded a commendation in the RYA Club of the Year competition and on Sunday, at the Team15 event, Chris Blackburn, RYA High Performance Manager, presented the club with their Volvo Champion Club Award for their work in encouraging and training young windsurfers and sailors.

The next round of the RYA North Zone Team15 championship moves to the far north of the zone at the end of this month, when the competition calls in at Derwent Reservoir, County Durham on 28^th June.

RYA Team15 results – North Lincs (to 5^th place)

3.5m

1.  Oliver Anderson                             Pugneys Pirates

2.  Toby Butler                                     Nth Lincs Invaders

3.  Jack Dunn                                      Individual

4.  Millie Challen                                  Covenham Cyclones

5.  Benjamin Calvert                           Pugneys Pirates

4.5m

1.  Sarah Labourne                             Nth Lincs Invaders

2.  Harry Davis                                    Nth Lincs Invaders

3.  Jordan Howram                             Nth Lincs Invaders

4.  Isaac Hall                                       Nth Lincs Invaders

5.  Max Butler                                      Nth Lincs Invaders

5.5m

1.  Robert Griffiths                               Nth Lincs Invaders

2.  Ruben Lansley                               Nth Lincs Invaders

3.  Lewis May                                      Nth Lincs Invaders

4.  Nicola Dinsdale                              Pugneys Pirates

5.  Kathryn Durham                            Pugneys Pirates

6.8m

1.  Robert York                                    Covenham Cyclones

2.  Luke Raistrick                                Pugneys Pirates

3.  Emma Labourne                            Nth Lincs Invaders

4.  Joe Dickinson                                Pugneys Pirates

5.  Jacob Wall                                     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.