Manx at Laser Inlands
Three young sailors from the Manx Youth Sailing Squad will take their first steps into one of world’s the most competitive classes at the weekend.
Hannah Howitt (16), Isabel Sharpe (15) and James Kelly (14) will contest the UK Laser Inland Championship at Grafham Water, their first competition in the olympic class laser radial dinghy.
They will be among the youngest competitors racing against some of the world’s most experienced sailors in a fleet of over 150 boats, including olympic sailors using the event as a warm-up for the 2012 Games and younger sailors striving to get a foot on the ladder.
Hannah, Isabel and James, all recipients of Manx Sport Aid, progressed to the laser radial class earlier this year after outgrowing the RS tera dinghies in which they enjoyed huge success, including two world titles between them.
The move to an olympic class dinghy is a huge step up for them: at this standard of competition, any results in the top half of the fleet would be a triumph for the Manx sailors. Their objective is to be spotted by the selection coaches and invited to join the Royal Yachting Association GBR Transition Squad, which helps young sailors make the jump into olympic classes like the laser.
The team have spent the summer familiarising themselves with their new boats at every opportunity, including attending two RYA UK training events at Hayling Island and Grafham. They also enjoyed the benefit of an RYA laser coach travelling to the island for a three-day intensive training course.
Also competing at Grafham is veteran laser sailor Mike Pridham, who has been hugely supportive of the young racers.
The team are able to travel regularly to the UK thanks the Manx Sports Aid Foundation and sponsorship from the Manx Lottery Trust and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
If you’d like to get involved contact Jenni Quillin at 7th Wave, or Cathie Ashurst or Brian Partington at the Isle of Man Yacht Club.
Squad coach Jenni Quillin will be posting updates on the team’s progress during the weekend on the 7th Wave Blog, or follow them on Twitter here.
Thanks to Simon Kelly for the report.
