P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Banbury Sailing Club

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Banbury © Norman Byrd

The travelling P&B NYS sailors were greeted by the smell of bacon rolls as we arrived at Banbury Sailing Club. The club is based at Boddington reservoir, perhaps equidistant between Banbury, Daventry and Southam.

The weather was set to be, well, changeable. We were ready for anything. The briefing included a very formal thunder and lightening health and safety assessment (we'll get you off the water well in advance of anything happening) and a less formal instruction for the day (have fun). We were fortunate to have 3 sets of fantastic coaches on the water led by Rachel Heggs. Despite the reservoir being reasonably sizeable, the wind appeared to blow only in one corner of the lake. A wind shadow was firmly planted on the far shore, good job, it was lined with grumpy looking fishermen, we avoided them.

There was enough wind for some capsizes, and at least one incredibly graceful dive out of an almost capsizing (it didn't) Middle Nene sailed Tera. Sailors of all levels of experience practised starting, short beats, and sailing backwards. I know this not from watching, but by hearing the enthusiastic instructions from inside the club, some distance away, whilst sorting out the entries!

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Banbury - photo © Norman Byrd

I had pre-booked the rain for lunch time, and more or less exactly on time, and for the correct amount of time, it drizzled. As soon as the last mouthful was eaten the rain stopped and the race briefing took place. We're particularly keen to encourage sailors new to racing, or indeed new to travelling, and so the briefings are never terribly serious. We launched for the racing. Sun cream and splash tops were required.

The course was a simple figure of eight. Despite some of the sailors being reasonably new to racing the sailing was fantastically close. There were many different race leaders in the Toppers causing the race officers (thank you Hannah and Julie) to be on their toes recording race times. Keali, Draycote (we double checked) won the first race whilst William, Hollowell, took the second. The last race was a little longer, Peter, Draycote led for the first few laps only to be overtaken. The Toppers finished with Keali winning from William and Charlie (Northampton).

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Banbury - photo © Norman Byrd

The slow fleet, Optimists, Teras and Topper 4.2 was the largest fleet. Noah, Draycote, won the slow fleet in his Optimist from Finn, Hollowell, also in an Optimist. Henry, Draycote took third overall. Hari, Draycote, had a great afternoon improving in every race in his Topper 4.2 finishing second in the last race.

The sailors wolfed down a great tea (thank you all!) before the prize-giving.

Emily, the Northants NSSA team manager awarded the prizes. As ever, the most important prizes were awarded first, the first time medals. For some of the first timers this will be their first ever race, or their first ever trip away from their home club. Hopefully they all enjoyed it, 3 medals were awarded, Esme, Isaac and Emmeline, great job!

Overall, third prize went to William, although he was tied for points with Keali in second. Noah won. I failed to deliver such fantastic trophies as Middle Nene had awarded, but I think the sailors enjoyed the celebrations!

The first timers' series award looks highly likely to go to a Middle Nene sailor. But who will it be? It is scored based on the number of races started, then races completed if tied, and then points if still tied.

P&B Northamptonshire Youth Series at Banbury - photo © Norman Byrd

Next up is Northampton, 15th July. All junior sailors are welcome whether they are new to the series or not, and from any club. Be rigged and ready at 09.15 for another top day of coaching, racing and cake consumption!

Overall Results: