SOUTHERN TOP YOUNG POWERBOATERS GEAR UP FOR UK FINAL 

Two young southern powerboating aces will take on the UK’s best young RIB driving talent at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 14 September 2014.

Two young southern powerboating aces will take on the UK’s best young RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) driving talent when they compete at the National Final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, to be held at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 14 September 2014.  

After a summer of regional finals across the UK, this year’s national final is gearing up to be a real nail biter and the 2014 Championship has already seen some very close finishes.

Youngsters will compete in two age categories; 8-12 years, and 13-16 years.   Both finalists come from Lymington and won their age group divisions at the Regional Finals hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club just three weekends ago.

Alice Wood, aged 10, and James Eady, aged 15, claimed the podium positions to secure a place in the National Final.     

"I'm really looking forward to the national final,” said James.  “It's a new experience for me and I'm really excited to see what happens and hopefully all our training will pay off !" Alice said “I am very excited to be going to the Boat Show. Training has been brilliant and I am working hard to improve my Regional performance."  

Now in its 13th year, finalists will be battling it out on the water in the hope of winning a fantastic prize. In the 8-12 age group the championship winner will receive a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine for their club, whilst in the 13-16 age group the winner will receive, again for their club, a Highfield 460 RIB with a Honda BF50.

The newly crowned 2014 Honda RYA Youth RIB Champions will also be taking on representatives from the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and Royal Motor Yacht Club in a head to head showdown to determine the winner of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Champion of Club trophy.

Andrew Norton, RYA Powerboat Project Manager and Event Director said: “With so many talented young RIB drivers across the country the 2014 titles and the Champion of Clubs trophy could belong to anyone. “Qualifying for the national final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is a huge achievement as it not only means that these youngsters can drive the RIBs at speed but they can handle them safely under pressure.”

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 click here.