Stockmans Take the Youth Champs
Report thanks to Mick Kneale
The MYA (Manx Yachting Association) IOM Youth Championship for under-19 year-olds was held on Sunday, postponed from the previous weekend – remember the conditions for the Parish Walk? – well, it was worse at sea!
The weather was still challenging for the fifteen entrants – the moderate SW breeze increased as the day went on and with five races to sail, a lot of strength and stamina was called for.
Sailors at the top end of the age range, who already sail in the senior fleet, dominated the results. The fresh winds suited Joe and Kate Stockman, who sailed the awesome Laser 3000 
to good effect but had their work cut out to keep the four Radials at bay. Ali Hinds was only one point behind after five races having won two but the Stockman team had won three so just pipped it.
The under-13s are competing for places in the newly established Manx Youth Sailing Squad, which is going to take part in a UK national regatta in October. A team of up to six will be selected over the course of the season. Brothers James and Greg Kelly in RS Teras sailed very well to finish 8th and 9th respectively and may well have booked a squad place already.
IOM Youth Championship-top ten
1st Joe & Kate Stockman (Laser 3000)
2nd Ali Hinds (Radial)
3rd Ben Swindlehurst (Radial)
4th Luke Collins (Radial)
5th Butler/Green (RS Feva)
6th Nick Parkes (4.7)
7th Chris Hill (Radial)
8th James Kelly (RS Tera)
9th Greg Kelly (RS Tera)
10th Jack Lakeman (Pico)
