After losing out to championship rivals the Carsington Comets in round one of the Midlands Team15 2011 Inter-Club Championship, Pitsford Pirates battled their way through the torrential rain and windy conditions to clinch the round two win, held at Draycote Water Sailing Club on Saturday 18 June.

Competition was close all weekend in all of the classes despite the testing conditions. “It was really wet and windy, but it was great”, commented James Bulson from the Croft Farm Flyers.

In the 6.8m Techno class it was Pitsford Pirates’ Joe Patrick and Croft Farm Flyers’ Nick Welsh who put in a stunning display both fully planning as they raced to the finish line, with Joe finishing just inches ahead to take the win by just one point!

Robin McAllister (Pitsford Pirates) continued to dominate in the 5.8m fleet, winning every race in the class at this event.

There was good news too for new team on the Midlands Circuit, the Croft Farm Flyers.  Youngster Tom Cave, who is competing in his first ever Team15 event claimed a finish in every race, with three top three finishes in the difficult conditions.  With team mates Ben Bulson and Nick Welsh both claiming three bullets in the 6.8m fleet, meaning they finished the event on equal points. Ben also had some friendly sibling rivalry out on the course with his sister Laura (Croft Farm Flyers) as they raced head to head in the 6.8m fleet.

It was a great weekend for other sibling competitors Adam and Dominic Meylan-Stevenson, competing in the 6.8 and 4.5m fleets respectively.  Adam was awarded his Team15 Ambassador rash vest at the event, as a Team15’er who has made the transition to the RYA Zone Squad.  Part of his role as an Ambassador is to help promote the Zone Squads and the RYA competition pathway to T15 sailors, answering any questions which T15 sailors may have about the zone squad, RYA pathways or open training opportunities.  Dominic, on the other hand, won a special merit award for entertaining the committee boat with a trick as he crossed the finish line in every race.

The next event will be hosted at Northampton Watersports, Pitsford Reservoir, home of the Pitsford Pirates, on Saturday 9 July.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, 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.

Full race results and details on how to get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.