Event director Helen Cartwright is confident Britain’s windsurfing champions of tomorrow were among the 62-strong fleet when the country’s most promising young windsurfers did battle at the first ever RYA National Junior Windsurfing Championships at Whitwell, Rutland Water this weekend (17-18 May).
Sailed in almost perfect racing conditions – with light six-eight knots of breeze on Saturday and eight-12 knots on day two - seven National titles were decided across the Open and Bic Techno classes.
Windsurfing definitely appears to be in the genes of the Wilson family as Emma and Daniel Wilson – children of former World Champion and British Olympian Penny Wilson (nee Way) – took the girls and the boys’ titles respectively in the Techno 3.5 in their first ever big event.
Eric Twiname Techno 4.5 champion Emma Labourne took overall third and girls’ gold.
However despite being a National Championships the event was not all about who topped the podium as for many young enthusiasts who have come up through the RYA’s grassroots windsurfing scheme Team15 (T15), it was the first time they have competed at a national standard racing event. Special award went to Zara Petts (3.5 Open) a who demonstrated determination and great potential at her first ever National Championships.
Helen Cartwright said: “The event provided the first stepping stone for many of the youngsters on their windsurfing journey and the standard of sailing and competiveness was highly impressive.
“To see such progress over two days was fantastic; the standard of sailing and the passion for windsurfing was the highest I’d seen for many seasons.
“I am absolutely sure that amongst the 62 competitors at Whitwell lay future British Champions and I look forward to watching these sailors progress over the year. Competitive windsurfing is a healthy and vibrant scene and it is a really exciting time to be involved.”
For full results visit www.ryaracingevents.org.uk
