North East & Yorkshire Youth Travellers (NEYYTS) at Scaling Dam Sailing Club

Pre-start Race 3 - Regatta sailor’s joy of the more consistent sea breeze kicking in - North East & Yorkshire Youth Travellers (NEYYTS) at Scaling Dam © Lisa Metcalfe

A sunny and light wind Saturday 14 May saw youth and junior sailors at Scaling Dam Sailing Club for the third round of the 2022 North East & Yorkshire Youth Traveller series. The fleet of 24 racers comprised fifteen experienced sailors and a regatta division of nine novice sailors who were attentively supported throughout their races by the coach boat.

The predicted forecast for wind of variable strength and direction arrived as expected to test the patience and skill of racers. But with light winds and rising air temperature, Scaling's sea breeze kicked in on cue for the start of the afternoon racing.

In the morning’s shifty SSE wind the fleet raced on a short triangular course. Race one saw ILCA sailor’s Archie Burton, Spirit Alderson and Finn Goodman lead the fleet to the windward mark, followed by a cluster of Toppers. As the wind waxed and waned, positions constantly changed across the fleet as they experienced a light wind lap followed by windier lap and so on.

The ILCA 6 Archie was first to finish on the water followed closely by ILCA 6 Spirit. However, following an excellent first beat ILCA 4 Imogen Wright took the race win on corrected time pushing Archie into second and Spirit third. Optimist Henry Blades also reaped the benefit of a well-sailed first leg giving him fourth place.

Race two was dominated by the ILCAs who made the best of wind shifts and carrying boat speed. Spirit took the line hours this time followed in second place by Archie. ILCA 7 Finn shared third place with home club ILCA 6 Matthew Hill. Elsewhere in the fleet regatta sailor Lucy Cliffe claimed the honour of first Topper across the line giving her a fantastic sixth place.

Shifty conditions heading to the windward mark in race 2 -North East & Yorkshire Youth Travellers (NEYYTS) at Scaling Dam - photo © Lisa Metcalfe

The fickle conditions were extremely difficult and at times frustrating for many of the inexperienced regatta sailors. Many thanks to Jonathan Brown for his patience and enthusiasm coaching the fleet around the course. In these challenging conditions Poppy Moss Topper 4.2 put in her best performance to finish fifteenth.

During a break for lunch an easterly sea breeze filled and the fleet returned to the water to race in more consistent conditions on a larger triangular course. Race three win was taken by Archie and after a solid performance second went to Finn, Spirit third and home Topper sailor Patrick Tulloch fourth.

With the sea breeze holding steady the windward leg of the triangular course was increased for race four. Spirit took a quick lead and remained ahead throughout the race to win this race and event overall. Archie’s took second place and on this occasion a close and competitive race between Toppers Charlie Hammond and James Wright saw them gain third and fourth place respectively.

Johnie Hodbay’s first competitive event in a Pico was notable performance; and in race three gained a highly commendable eleventh place. Scaling’s highest placed sailor of the day, constantly finishing in the top ten places was Matthew Hill, ILCA 6.

Rooster Sailing vouchers were presented to the first three overall, first three juniors, first three boys/girls, and to the Regatta fleet winner.

Despite the difficult conditions it was a fantastic day on the water. Thanks to all our helpers on and off the water. The next event in the series is on Saturday 21 May at Derwent Reservoir SC.

Overall Results: