Young powerboaters ready for national final
Young powerboaters from across the UK will go head-to-head at the Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 13 September in the national final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship.
In total, 28 competitors will take to the water across two age categories, with 14 regional final winners in the 8-12 group and another 14 contesting the 13-16 age group title. Each finalist will have two timed runs on the course, with the fastest time claiming the title. The competitors will be competing in a Highfield 460 RIB. The competition will begin at 9.30am, with a prize giving to be held at 4.00pm on the Honda stand.
The newly-crowned National Champion will then challenge the 2014 winners for the Champion of Champions title. Kamila Czartolomna from South Staffordshire Sailing Club will face off against the 13-16 victor, and the winner of this head-to-head will win hospitality tickets to a British Touring Car Championship race of their choice courtesy of Honda.
The 8-12 age group winner will receive a Honwave T40 RIB for their club, organisation or training centre, whilst the victor of the 13-16 age group will win a Highfield 460 RIB.
The fastest time so far was set by James Eady, from Royal Lymington Yacht Club during the Southern region regional final. James, 16, completed the course in 0.56.38, beating two former regional champions in the process. His club mate Tom Rogers set the quickest time in the 8-12 group, managing 1:07:03.
James said: “I’ve been practicing at every opportunity, but a lot depends on the conditions at Southampton and how we all adapt to them. I’m really excited to compete.”
South West regional final winner Paddy James, 16, will be competing in his second national final after setting a time of 1.24.94. The Royal Western Yacht Club sailor is hoping to go one better this year and clinch the national title.
Paddy said: “I’m really looking forward to going down to Southampton and competing in the final. I’ve been getting in some extra practice, so hopefully I can improve on my time. This is my last year competing in the championship, but I’m definitely keen to stay involved in powerboating afterwards.”
In the 13-16 age group, Girton Sailing Club’s Max Toby, 16, will be appearing at his fourth and last national final, having won the regional title twice in the 8-12 group and twice in the 13-16 category. The 12-year-old’s time of 1.29.00 was enough to see him triumph in the East Midlands final.
Max said: “I’m determined to win. I haven’t had much practice in a RIB since the regional final, but my aim is to complete the course in less than one minute, which would be great. It’s always penalties that get me and I hit two buoys in the regional final, so if I can avoid that I hope to do well.”
Andrew Norton, RYA Powerboat Projects Manager, said: “The RYA is delighted to see such a high standard set across all regional competitions. The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is a great way of helping young sailors become proficient and safe powerboat drivers, and we look forward to the final at Southampton Boat Show.”
Steve Morris, Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK) comments: “We are pleased to continue our long and successful partnership with the RYA in supporting the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship in its fourteenth year.
“Honda and our boat partner Highfield are delighted to support the RYA in its endeavours to motivate and encourage young people to develop their skills and to promote safe and responsible racing through this unique and exciting championship.”