Blustery conditions and strong gusts of up to 35 knots put paid to hopes of racing across the majority of Junior classes on day one of the 2014 RYA Eric Twiname Championship today (Saturday 11 May).  

The 241 young sailors across seven of the RYA Junior classes were kept ashore under postponement while RYA event organisers kept a watchful eye on the strong squalls which repeatedly swept across Rutland Water on the opening day of this annual Championship.  

White caps on the course

With the three course areas continually covered in white caps, and with no let-up in the strong South Westerly gusts, only the RS Feva XL class were sent to the inner race course area late afternoon to complete the only race of the day.  

And it was Hayling Island Sailing Club’s Iain Bird and Jake Hardman who took the early advantage to claim the only race win of the day in front of siblings William and James Cunliffe in second and Welsh sailors Thomas and Amy Bale in third.  

12-year-old Bird, who finished fourth at the 2013 RYA South East Zone Championships last September, said: “When we left the shore we were very nervous and quite scared to be honest but as soon as we got into the racing it was amazing – we had so much fun!”  

“We have sailed in some pretty windy conditions before but nothing like it was today, it was really intense and scary at times but we had a great time and really enjoyed the one race which we won. We didn’t expect to win the race, but we knew if we sailed well then we would be in with a chance.”  

Hardman looking forward to tomorrow's racing

Hardman,14, crew of the RS Feva XL,  added: “We are now looking forward to tomorrow’s racing where hopefully we can get in a few more races. We definitely prefer wind to no wind so can’t wait to get back out on the water tomorrow.”  

Once all racing was abandoned by 16:45, sailors soon started to enjoy a human table football tournament which saw the RYA Zones and Home Country teams pitted against each other and their coaches.   Mark Nicholls, RYA Youth Racing Manager, commented: “It has been a hugely challenging day for the race teams with wind speeds ranging from 22-32 knots with regular squalls coming through the course. Credit must go to the safety management and crews here at Rutland who managed to get three races in for the Laser 4.7 selection event and one race for the RS Feva XL class.  

“The continuous wind strength meant that we haven’t been able to race all of the fleets today which is disappointing and of course frustrating for the sailors and their parents but safety is the number one priority and the strong gusts were just too much for the sailors here today".  

Nicholls concluded: “We are now looking forward to tomorrow and are optimistic that if we focus all the safety cover onto the one race course that we can get through some more racing on the final day of the Championships.”  

Selection process

Meanwhile, the event also forms part of the selection process for the 2014 RYA Laser 4.7 National Junior squad who battled against the squally conditions to complete three races.  

Ross Banham from Bewl Valley SC had an impressive day screaming round the race course in the gusty conditions to clinch two race wins and a second to cement his position at the top of the leaderboard. William Bedford sits in second after a 3-3-2 for today’s efforts, whilst Savva Tretyakov ended his day in third.   The Laser 4.7 selection event, which takes place alongside the RYA Eric Twiname Championship, will be used in conjunction with results from further indicator events later in the season.  

Racing is scheduled to start at Rutland at 10.25am on Sunday 11 May. No warning signal will be made after 15:00.  

For the full list of results from day one visit www.sailingresults.co.uk   

For further information on the Eric Twiname Trust visit http://erictwinametrust.org/   

For further information on the RYA Eric Twiname Championships visit www.ryaracingevents.org.uk