Haydn Griffiths RNLI Trophy 2025

Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club continues to honour the tragic loss of young Haydn Griffiths in his early season race day, also a fitting fundraiser for the RNLI. It continues to be a popular and significant day in the club’s calendar. Usually, the weather cooperates for this weekend even at this time of year – after a dull start the sun came through with light to moderate winds.

The OOD team of Gareth and Jen Williams has to contend with a very light and shifty Race 1, but got racing underway in a mass start of 46 competing boats. The key all day was to find clear wind early in the race and put some space between you and the pack, some achieved this more successfully than others. With 7 different classes in the top 10 it proved that handicap racing can be fair and tight and the trapezoidal courses chosen gave the most even chance of this.

A new pairing of Richard Catchpole and Ness Evans (LLSC) started the day in bright form, getting away but only clinching the victory by 4 seconds on handicap from the Wayfarer of Louise McKeand and Nigel Hall (LLSC). Chris and young Evie Pickles (Bassenthwaite) sailed their RS200 to third place, squeezing out Olly Blackburn.

Louise and Nigel took control in Race 2, outpacing the Hadron of Josh Hamer (LLSC). Chris and Evie got their noses out in front after some outhaul issues in Race 3, to claim victory over the Lasers of Olly and Howard Green (LLSC). Congratulations go to Louise and Nigel for winning out on the day in face of tough competition.

There were battles within the fleets on the start line and all over the racecourse during the day which made for a fine day’s racing for all. It was great to see Haydn’s mum and dad at the club as usual, and sister Megan had a great day’s racing always with a smile on her face. A new arrival in the family meant that Brogan’s visit was a quick one! Great to see them all again.

The event raised a new record of over £1000 for the RNLI, who were present on site all day to support this annual event. An excellent job was done by our President to coordinate the day as usual.

For full results, see the link below:

Sailwave results for Hadyn Griffiths RNLI Trophy Day 2025 at Leigh and Lowton SC 2025