Excitement Builds for the North Junior Championships at Derwent Reservoir SC
by Fiona Spence 21 Jun 09:25 UTC
22-23 June 2024
NEYYSA Regional Team Racing © Dave Wood
With less than 24 hours to go until the North Junior Championships starts at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club, final plans are being confirmed and the action list checked off.
Organised in partnership by Derwent Reservoir SC and North East & Yorkshire Youth Sailing Association following the RYA's decision to cancel the Regional Junior Championship event format the North event is looking forward to hosting 142 under 19s for the weekend of sailing, fun and social over 22 & 23 June 2024.
The event is being sponsored by Trident UK and the event organisers are very grateful for their support.
Racing is available for the championship fleet and a coached regatta fleet. The event is also running a Rookie Club for less experienced sailors to get out on the water and practice their skills and have some fun together.
After racing on Saturday volunteers are also offering a fun paddleboard session, opportunity to have a go at wing-foiling and Ovington Boats have sent their 29er demo boat so sailors considering joining the class can have a trial sail with an current 29er sailor.
Once the wetsuits are hung up to dry on Saturday evening there is a ceilidh in the clubhouse and with the majority of sailors and their supporters staying on site, it should be a great night!
It is customary to have a little review of the key runners & riders just before a major event and this event is promising some exciting racing in all of the main championship fleets. What the Optimist fleet lacks in numbers, it makes up for in volume with Sebastian Vials and Alex Welfare both entered; at the NEYYSA regional team racing event in January these two demonstrated they weren't afraid of fierce but friendly competition and we also expect Rose Versey and Johnnie Tellez to put in a quiet but determined display to give them both something to think about. Two sailors from the NEYYSA Traveller Series regatta fleet also join the main fleet for the first time and whilst they aren't expected to challenge for the podium, Callum and Matthew will gain experience for future years.
The Toppers will probably have a tale of two battles with George Spence, fresh from his Eric Twiname Junior Champs victory eager to put his stamp on this event but a strong challenge is expected from Budworth's Topper gang, led by Tristan Shaw who has just won the ITCA North region traveller series chased hard by fellow Budworth sailor Reuben Lawrance. Further down the fleet, the Bramwell Twins, Annabelle & Xavier along with Freya Antonelli, Nayth Twiggs, Millie and Annabel Hayfield and Simeon Shackleton and Emily Dengate also pose challenge and will have a great weekend of racing.
The ILCA fleet has several new faces with Topper fast girl Ava Harris-Scott joining the throng to challenge existing ILCA4 female sailors Olivia Dembinska and Alana Starkie. North West Byte sailor George Jacobs and Winsford's Finlay Monks also join the throng to offer challenge. With DRSC's Toby Waggett away at the ILCA4 worlds it is difficult to predict the top 3 on the podium at the end of the weekend.
The RS Feva fleet has a number of winners with the Filey Whitehead brothers Tommy & Danny on top form after the recent Nationals along with Freddie Wood partnering with Holly Johnson again and the regular combo of Lola Saunders and Lizzie Shilling. Ben Welfare rejoins the fleet with Harriet Wood as crew to offer another potential applecart upset. New pairings of Grace Gordon & Poppy Moss further down the field continue to develop and will enjoy good racing with Grace Stockdale/Iona Cheyne and several other new pairings. ILCA6 Sailor Ethan Wild offers the "Wild" card bet as he's jumping into the back of a Feva for the weekend with Charlie Rowell.
The RS Tera fleet has a few sailors fresh from success at the Tera Northerns last weekend out on the course. In the Sport class Aleks Svietek has to be favourite after his win last weekend at the Tera Northerns but will be challenged by Harry & Molly Wilson and Laia and Aggie Priestley. In the Pro class, it is more open with Lewis Gordon and Zach Williamson turning up along with Jessica Skelding.
To support some of the new to main fleet sailors, the event will be running a "fresher" division which is eligible for on-water coaching from two designated coaches. This is for sailors who are new to the main fleet and will not have experienced going out for a full day on the water before. The regatta fleet is providing a full weekend of coached, supported racing to improve skills for those just learning to race and we are excited by the number of new names on the entry list. Meanwhile the 15 strong Rookie Club will be supported by several young coaches and instructors for a weekend of sailing, water games and fun.
This event would not be possible without the ongoing support of numerous people who are giving up their weekend to support the event alongside a small army of volunteer parents who will be supporting the event on and off the water. The region has demonstrated that enthusiasm and support of youth and junior sailing is extremely high and the event promises to be a showcase of regional effort delivering a fantastic weekend. We just need the sun to shine and the wind to blow now!