Three wins a row for West Kirby Warriors 

West Kirby Warriors made it three in a row with a win in the Team15 West Zone windsurfing championship at the weekend despite a growing challenge by Hollingworth Hunters from the Rochdale area.

During the meeting, one Warrior found that you don't have to be in first place to win a gold medal. In the final race Isaac Bradley-Baker (13) sailing with a 5.5m sail in the 6.8m fleet had his work cut out to stay with his fleet. However due to a mistake made by the fleet leaders, who went for the wrong mark (buoy) he was able to beat everybody home to win a coveted Gold medal by sailing the correct course!

The light and shifty wind conditions gave sailors some real challenges. Charlotte Rutter, Frances McNabb, Emma Jubb and Maddy Hughes, all from West Kirby Warriors summed it up as "difficult and tiring".

No one sailor dominated any of the fleets and right up until prize giving nobody was certain how they had done. Hollingworth might have had the upper hand as the West Kirby sailors tend to be better in the stronger winds.

The gap between the teams is still there but getting smaller.The 4.5, 5.8 and 6.8m fleets sailed a modified Olympic-style course while the 3.5m fleet sailed an across-the-wind race to a gybe mark and back.A new team, Debdale Pirates from Manchester made their debut, taking last place but enjoying the compeition.

The hosts were West Pennine Sailboard Club and many families were making a weekend of it by camping over and were settling down to live music as the others left. Competitors took time out to record a video message to go to Team GB Sailors – all part of the Sail for Gold “Push the Boat Out” day that took place at sailing clubs and centres on Saturday as part of the build-up to the Games.West Kirby Warriors are hosts for the final West Zone T15 event in September.    

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard and Neil Pryde, T15 was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level.  

Fun and informal training sessions take place at T15 clubs all over the country for kids up to the age of 15, which are run weekly by specialist RYA coaches.

The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400. Discover more about Sail for Gold, visit  www.rya.org.uk/programmes/sailforgold