ASHBOURNES WINDSURFERS ARE A STEP CLOSER TO CLAIMING REGIONAL CHAMPIONS CROWN  

Ashbourne’s youth windsurfing team, the Carsington Comets, held off massive competition from Northampton team the Pitsford Pirates this weekend (Saturday 25 July) when they won the third round of the Midlands Region Team15 Youth Windsurfing Championship held at Draycote Water, Warwickshire.

With one event win a piece, Saturday’s event was always going to be a hard fought event between the Pirates and Comets but no one was expecting such a close finish.

Split into 4 sail size classes the teams raced against each other in pretty perfect force 2 wind conditions which picked up a little in the afternoon to give the more experienced sailors the opportunity to get up on the plain around the course.

Several close finishes were seen particularly in the 3.5m class in which Pirate, Jo Patrick, who has dominated the class this season, had to really defend his position to come away with his third class win of the season.

Pirate, Alice Butts, won all eight of her races in the 4.5m classes to secure the Pirates second class win of the event and RYA Zone Squad member Cameron Coghill used his squad coaching expertise to do the same in the 5.5m class winning it for his team the Notts. County Outlaws.  

Carsington Comet Matt Leahy picked up the Comets only class win of the event in the 6.8m class wining all but one of his races. Team mate Tom Jackson, who was racing his last Team15 event before he turns 16 next month, picked up third place and a certificate to mark the occasion.

Team15 event scoring works on each team’s best six results. As they were only fielding five team members the Pirates picked up a penalty point but their two class victories weren’t quite enough to rival the Comets single class win and full team point score which earned them the extremely close third round victory.   

Event organiser Ben Hodgson commented; “The championship is still wide open for both the Pirates and Comets. If the Pirates can muster one more team member and pull off a performance like that again for the September closing event they’ll be very likely contenders for the regional crown. This year’s championship is really keeping us all on our toes!”

The winners of the regional championship will go on to represent the Midlands region at the national final ‘The Champions Cup’ held at Rutland Water, Rutland in October.  

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 out how to get involved and your local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.