2013 Junior Winter Regatta

Results On Saturday 5th January a massive 68 youths and juniors arrived at Leigh & Lowton for the annual Junior Winter Regatta to find the lake fog-bound. Despite the promise of wind in the forecast, there was still none at by start time and the postponement was hoisted. With a near flat calm on the water the OOD finally gambled on the wind filling in and sent the fleet afloat. The wind duly obliged and gave enough breeze for just one race in 2-5 knots before dying off agan.

In the Optimists, Archie Leckie led the fleet round the course followed by Josh Dawson, all the way from Port Dinorwic, and local youngster Harvey Leigh secured a strong third place. Perseverence from the tailenders was heartening with Holly, Max, Madeleine and Charlie keeping going in the dying wind.

There was a strong field in the Toppers with many National and Zone Squad sailors taking part. Tom Wallwork built a good lead in the early stages and held on to take line honours. Meanwhile, Haydn Griffiths, Nick Devereux and Daniel Budden were battling it out for second and finishing in this order.

The youth handicap was the largest of any of the years this race has been run with 24 entries varying from 29ers and 420s, through Lasers to Taz and 4.2 Toppers. An individual recall saw Andy Green return before recovering to end in 2nd place, but the team of Dan Venables and Chris Barnes in their 29er proved too strong and finished 1st. Behind these two were the two 420s of Lucy Yeates and Ellie Devereux, and Matt Lulham-Robinson and his brother Ben.

Excellent food as ever helped the parents and competitors make the most of the conditions.

U19
1st – 29er – Dan Venables & Chris Barnes – Sutton SC & LLSC
2nd – Laser – Andy Green – LLSC
3rd – 420 – Lucy Yeates & Ellie Devereux – LLSC
4th – 420 – Matt Lulham-Robinson & Ben L-R – Yorkshire Dales SC
5th – Laser Radial – Zac Gibbons – Redesmere SC

Toppers
1st – Tom Wallwork – Redesmere SC
2nd – Haydn Griffiths – LLSC
3rd – Nick Devereux – LLSC
4th – Daniel Budden – LLSC
5th – Jack Staniland – Redesmere SC

Optimists
1st – Archie Leckie – LLSC
2nd – Josh Dawson – Port Dinorwic SC
3rd – Harvey Leigh – LLSC
4th – Callum Davidson-Guild – Trearddur Bay SC
5th – Drew Gibbons – Redesmere SC