Plymouth's Finn heads to national youth powerboat final for second time

Young powerboater qualifies for national final for second year running

Eleven-year-old Finn Irvine from Plymouth has raced through to the national final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship for the second time.

One of 14 youngsters demonstrating their powerboating skills in the regional final at the Mount Batten Centre in Plymouth last Saturday (24 May), Finn beat his brother Paddy into second place in the 8 – 12 age group with a winning time of 1:50:78. He won the same regional title last year, and has four years’ experience of sailing and powerboating at the Royal Western Yacht Club.

Finn will be competing with regional finalists from around the country at the national final in Southampton in September. He says: “I’m very happy and excited to have won for the second year in a row, but a little surprised. I now can’t wait to go to Southampton!”

The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is a National Championship; open to RYA clubs, organisations and training centres where 8 - 16 year old (RIB) drivers can demonstrate their skills with the goal of winning their club a brand new Highfield 460 or a Honwave T40.

Stephen Morris, Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK) comments:
“We are delighted to continue our long and successful partnership with the RYA in supporting the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, and to be bringing on board our new boatbuilder partner, Highfield, for the 2014 competition. Both Honda and Highfield are only too pleased to support the RYA in its efforts to inspire and encourage young people to develop their skills and to promote safe and responsible boating through this unique championship.”

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Highfield.

For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib