Derbyshire Youth Sailing (DYS) event at Burton Sailing Club

A new Tik-Tok dance? Or just warm-ups before sailing? - Derbyshire Youth Sailing starts the 2023 season at Burton © Joanne Hill

This year's Derbyshire Youth Sailing (DYS) handicap series got off to a flying start with the season opener at Burton Sailing Club on Saturday 22nd April. The weather was perfect, to ease the competitors into the new season, with a gentle 8-10 knot breeze and even the sun was shining. This was in stark contrast to last year's conditions which were 30 knots plus.

21 boats from all across Derbyshire entered the event, with a strong contingent of 13 boats in the Senior age group, which has been boosted by a number of sailors moving up from intermediate, making this an extremely competitive category. Many of those sailors changing age group have also changed boats this year, and for many this was their first event in their new class.

There was some very close racing amongst all the fleets, the largest of which was the Lasers, which included all 3 sail sizes across the 9 boats. 5 Toppers and 4 Teras were the next largest fleets, with a Graduate, Supernova, and Byte completing the field.

Derbyshire Youth Sailing starts the 2023 season at Burton - photo © D Clarke

The racing was dominated by the Seniors, and in particular a very strong performance by Glossop's Jacob Bennett in the Laser Radial, who won all 3 races and was the overall event winner as well as winner in the Senior age category. Hot on Jacob's heels was Swarkestone's Patrick Hill in a Laser Radial, who came second in all 3 races to take second overall, and second Senior.

After a shaky start in race 1, Ogston's Luke Wilshire in the full rig Laser was third in the last 2 races to take third overall, and third Senior.

Race 3 saw a big wind shift, which Sam Clarke in the Laser Radial took full advantage of, with a well executed port flyer, this wasn't enough to lift Sam into 4th overall as he finished on equal points with George Jacobs in the Byte C1 who took 4th based on his 3rd from race 1.

Derbyshire Youth Sailing starts the 2023 season at Burton - photo © Joanne Hill

The Intermediate fleet was a battle of the Toppers and Teras, which was eventually won by William Morbey from Combs in the Topper, in his first event as an Intermediate. William's best result of the day was in race 2 where he took full advantage of some big gusts to finish ahead of many of the Seniors. Burton's Phoebe Gay also in a Topper was second Intermediate, and Burton's Alistair Casey in the Tera Sport was third.

Jack Mason from Burton was the sole Junior entry, in his first ever open event Jack decided to take a gamble, ditching the Sport rig and going with the larger Pro rig, after a slow start he managed a very respectable performance earning a well earned medal.

As usual there were some tough battles lower down the fleet, and it was good to see such a well disciplined group of sailors sailing at such a high level, who even supported each other between races with some group stretching exercises, they are all a credit to their home clubs. The galley team at Burton made sure competitors, parents and volunteers were well looked after throughout the day, as they do with all visiting fleets.

Next event is Toddbrook (at Combs) on 29th April, full details can be found at www.dysailing.org

Jacob Bennett wins overall - Derbyshire Youth Sailing starts the 2023 season at Burton - photo © Joanne Hill

Overall Results:

Derbyshire Youth Sailing starts the 2023 season at Burton - photo © D Clarke