Manx Youth Sailing Squad
The Manx Youth Sailing Squad selection trials will be held on Saturday 25th April at 7th Wave RYA Training Centre in Port Erin. A series of races will be held throughout the day with the first start at 11am. RYA Club Racing Coaches Rob Cowell, Don Edwards and Phil Hardisty will be acting as race officers, providing support for the competitors and choosing the squad. This event is open to any sailors aged 14 and under who would like to be considered for a place in the squad, although entrants should have some prior racing or race training experience, boats will be provided. The closing date for entries is 20th April, application forms are available from 7th Wave.
Four intensive race training weekends will be run for squad members throughout the sailing season. Sailors will then attend the RS Tera National Championship at Dabchicks SC in Colchester, Essex on 19th & 20th September. Boats, coaching and support will be provided for training and the Nationals. Parental support of squad members will be important throughout the season and at regattas.
The 2008 Manx Youth Sailing Squad comprised of Hannah Howitt (age 13), Izzy Sharpe (age 12), Amie Shute (age 11), Greg Kelly (age 10), James Kelly (age 11) and Nick Parkes (age 13). They attended the RS Tera Inland Championship at Draycote Water last October where they competed in a fleet of thirty boats and finished with some excellent results. The most notable by Greg Kelly who won the first race and sailed consistently well to finish third overall.
The overall aim of the Manx Youth Sailing Squad is to improve the standard of sailing of promising young Manx sailors. Anyone applying for a place in the squad must be prepared for hard work, commitment and lots of practice. All squad members are encouraged to compete in club dinghy races and club regattas in addition to the four training weekends. For keen young sailors this is an exciting opportunity to receive high quality race training on the Island and to travel to a UK regatta with fellow team members and supporting coaches.
For further information about the Manx Youth Sailing Squad please contact Jenni Quillin (7th Wave), Brian Partington (IOMYC), Peter Hooson-Owen (MS&CC) or Cathie Ashurst (Manx Yachting Association).
Jenni Quillin
