Maidstone Powerboater Ben Receives Youth Champion Award
Nick Thompson presents South East RYA Regional Youth Champion award
Present met future as rising Harrietsham powerboat talent, Ben Jelf, was presented with the 2015 South East RYA Youth Champion Award by British Sailing Team star, Nick Thompson, at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show on Sunday (1 March).
Ben, 14, was one of 13 regional winners of the 2015 RYA Youth Champion Awards, which were created just last year to recognise the outstanding achievement and performances of young people across the range of activities that boating’s national governing body, the RYA, represents including sailing, windsurfing and powerboating.
Last year saw Swadelands School pupil Ben add further European and British powerboating titles to his trophy cabinet, claiming the UIM GT30 European Championship and Powerboat GP GT30 British Championship crowns plus the junior Powerboat GP GT15 British Sprint Championship and UIM Bronze Medal in the GT15 European Championship.
The awards were presented at London’s Alexandra Palace by four-time Laser class sailing World Championship medallist, Nick Thompson.
Duncan Truswell, RYA Sport Development Manager, said: “It’s really important to recognise people on every level and these youngsters are all so passionate about their sport and all put in the extra effort. All this wouldn’t be possible without the support of their parents, guardians, coaches, trainers, clubs and friends.
"Our congratulations go to all the worthy RYA Regional Youth Champions. Some of them are undoubtedly the rising stars of the future and I’m sure many may indeed follow in the footsteps of our successful Olympians, world champions and record breakers.”
Ben competes in circuit powerboating racing, which takes place on inland water. There are three main types of racing in this discipline – monohulls, catamarans and hydroplanes. Last year he raced in the GT30 monohull category, using a 30hp engine, for the first time plus the junior GT15 using a 15hp engine.
He become the youngest British powerboat driver to ever win a World title when he secured the UIM GT15 World Championship in 2011.
For more information on the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards visit www.rya.org.uk/go/youthchampion