Brothers Land Derbyshire Youth Honours 

Bryn and Richard Abendstern take DYS series win

Toddbrook SC brothers Bryn and Richard Abendstern were presented with with the top award - the Derbyshire Shield - as 2014 Series Champions at the Derbyshire Youth Sailing (DYS) annual Peak Dinghy Spares Series prizegiving. 

DYS is an organisation that brings together youth sailors aged up to 18 who from 10 Derbyshire sailing clubs and is affiliated to the RYA and National Schools Sailing Association (NSSA). 

DYS stages a series of racing sailing events between April and October, as well as other special events and training all year round at venues throughout Derbyshire.

Events are scored overall for all competitors and in three age groups by school years:

• up to school year 6 are Juniors, who compete for The Ellen MacArthur Trophy
• school years 7 to 9, the intermediates, compete for The Ben Ainslie Trophy 
• school years 10 and above, the seniors, compete for The Andrew Simpson Trophy 

In a double celebration the Abendstern's also received the Andrew Simpson Trophy, while The Ben Ainslie Trophy went to Daniel Wellbourn Hesp from Carsington SC for the successive year, and The Ellen MacArthur Trophy was won by Daniel's Carsington clubmate Maxi Hattersley.

The 2014 Series was once again supported by Peak Dinghy Spares and the trophy they award for the most improved sailor year on year went to Will Gould (Carsington SC).  

Meanwhile, the Saunders Cup, awarded to the highest placed female sailor in the series, went to Rebecca Grimshaw (Staunton Harold SC).

There were special mentions also for a number of Derbyshire sailors who have secured success in particular classes or been selected for RYA or Class squads.  

Amongst these were Harvey Martin (Ogston SC) who, with his sailing partner Bobby Hewitt, made history in 2014 winning the RS Feva Nationals, Europeans and World Championships. 

 Harvey’s younger brother, Roscoe, also enjoyed international success, winning the Europeans in the RS Tera (Sport Fleet).

Last year's Derbyshire Trophy winner, Josh Haynes (Trent Valley SC), received his third County Colours award in acknowledgement of his performances, achievements and commitment representing Derbyshire at NSSA events, including team racing and fleet racing.

Melissa Wellbourn, Chair of DYS, said: "The prizegiving evening is our annual opportunity to recognize the talents, skills and commitment of the youth sailors in Derbyshire and to thank all of those involved in supporting them.  

"The stepping stone that DYS provides allows the sailors to develop their journey in their chosen sport and it is amazing where they can go and what they can achieve.  

"There are former DYS sailors who are sailing within the RYA British Sailing Team or involved in yacht racing or working in the marine industry and in some part, DYS helped them all in fulfilling their dreams.  

"Who knows where today’s winners and all of the sailors, will take themselves?”

Membership of DYS is FREE for sailors who go to school in Derbyshire or are members of a Derbyshire sailing club. For more information visit www.dysailing.org