South Wales dominated the one of the largest junior Welsh sailing events ever held in 40 years, as sailors competed for the coveted Schools, Clubs and County titles.
Tenby sailing club hosted the Welsh Yachting Association’s Schools and Clubs Championships, with Cardiff Bay, Stanwell School in Penarth and the Vale of Glamorgan winning the three main categories.
There were more that 135 competitors taking to the water, making it one of the biggest entry lists in over 40 years of the event, with near-perfect weather conditions meaning the standards were also particularly high.
Matthew Whitfield of Penarth won the Optimist category of boat after some fierce competition, the second year running that he has taken the title.
Another to win for the second year running was Mickey Beckett of Sole in Pembrokeshire, who came out on top in the Topper class of boat.
Cardiff Bay pairing Nia Jones and Eleni Morris took first place in the handicap event with virtually a perfect record, winning all but one race and being able to discard that one second place result.
While the main fleet sailors battled it out the OnBoard Regatta Fleet enjoyed a mornings training on the Saturday followed by 6 races over the Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Dai Thomas, the OnBoard Regatta Fleet Head Coach, said, “It was fantastic to see so many new sailors entering the sport and I look forward to these sailors moving up to the main fleet later in the year or next year and giving them a run for their money.”
With 35 sailors hitting the water this was the biggest OnBoard Regatta fleet ever at a Welsh Yachting Event with many of the competitors learning to sail this Easter through the OnBoard scheme.
William Hall won the Optimist Class, Dhyanesh Patel secured first in the Toppers and Alex Brace received first in the Tera Class.
After all the results we’re collated the Top School, County and Club were;
Top School – Stanwell School
Top County – Vale of Glamorgan
Top Club – Cardiff Bay Yacht Club
Finally a big thank you to Tenby Sailing Club for holding the Schools & Clubs Championships for a second year running with such success and thanks must also go to the event sponsors Chevron, Ledwood and Milford Port Authority for supporting the event.