2023 NEYYTS 9 Sept 2023
On a sweltering hot Saturday 9th September youth and junior sailors met at Scaling Dam Sailing Club for the eighth round of the 2023 North East & Yorkshire Youth Traveller series. The fleet of 27 racers comprised 17 experienced sailors and a regatta division of 10 novice sailors who were attentively supported throughout their races by coach boats.
The predicted forecast for a very light breeze didn't arrive and after a 30 minute float about on glassy water racing was postponed to await the prayed for sea breeze. Despite the light winds and soaring air temperature the sea breeze failed to put in an appearance but after a patient wait ashore racing managed to start at 13:25.
Race 1 took place in a shifty NE wind with the fleet racing on a windward/leeward course. Race one saw Tom Moss and Poppy Christie lead the way round the course in their RS200, with ILCA6 sailor Ollie Hirst not letting them open a large gap on the water. Ollie took the race 1 win by over a minute with Kyla Baxter (Topper) second and Lewis and Grace Gordon (RS Feva) third.
Thankfully the light breeze seemed to be hanging around and after a quick course and line re-set race 2 got under way just before 15:00. ILCAs Ollie, Matthew Hill and George King sailed an efficient first lap, completing their lap ahead of the RS200. With a relatively steadier wind the fleet managed to spread themselves and race in clearer air. On corrected time the Race 2 victory was shared by Ollie and Kyla, followed by George in third place.
After a quick turn around the third and final race got under way. The RS200 was quick out of the blocks chased by Ollie and Scaling's Matthew Hill (ILCA7). Lewis and Grace reaped the benefit of a good start and having played the shifts on the first beat well - their Feva completed lap 1 just behind Ollie and Matthew. Little did they know though that RS Tera sailor Joshua Wright had placed himself well up the fleet and on his first lap crossed the line not long after Kyla in her Topper. Joshua went on to claim race honours with Kyla second and Tom and Poppy third in the RS200.
Well done to everyone that took part - the conditions were particularly hard and made more difficult by the sweltering heat. Special mention should go to regatta fleet sailors Hayden, Emily, Charlie, Poppy, Maisie, Matthew, Seth, Rory and Oppie racer Callum who stuck at it and sailed all three races.
