Solva sailor is top Topper
by Hamish Stuart, RYA Wales 5 Nov 2009 05:15 PST
Michael Beckett wins the Topper Nationwide Series © Dave Cockerill
Solva sailor Michael Beckett has proved himself the best of British by winning the Nationwide series of events all round the country.
The Ysgol Dewi Sant 14-year-old won the five event series in the Topper class, one of the most popular boats for competitors under the age of 16, which was open to the best junior sailors from Great Britain and Ireland with more than 300 taking part.
Beckett clinched the title by winning at Helensburgh in Scotland, his second victory in the five events and which gave the Welsh National Junior Squad member first place overall.
He is also part of the national RYA squad and will be awarded the trophy at the National Dinghy Exhibition to be held at Alexandra Palace, London, early in the New Year, having been helped by sponsorship from ASDA supermarket in Pembroke Dock.
"Learning to sail in Pembrokeshire gave me good experience in windy conditions and this helped me, particularly in Scotland," said Beckett, who learned to sail with Solva Rowing and Watersports Club.
"I am delighted to have won this Championship and I owe a lot to the great coaching I have had from the Welsh National Coach and the RYA.
"Financial support from the Sports Council and Asda Supermarkets was crucial in helping me to get to all the events."
The five race series was held in Rutland, Poole, Derwent Water, Mumbles and Helensburgh.
Beckett went into the final event knowing strong showing would bring him the overall title and settled his nerves by winning two races in heavy conditions on the first day.
A further win and a third place were enough to gain the overall win on a tie-break from Norfolk's Felicity Foulds, who was also second in the national series.
Beckett is now planning to move up a class of boat to the Laser Radial.