Derbyshire Youth Sailing at Carsington and Swarkestone Sailing Club
by Joanne Hill 20 Sep 2022 08:01 PDT
Derbyshire Youth Sailing at Carsington © Darren Clarke
The last two Saturdays have seen our Derbyshire Youth Sailors battling it out in very mixed
condition at Carsington and Swarkestone Sailing Club, leaving us in suspense for the last race
of the year.
On Saturday the 10th September, 23 sailors descended on Carsington Water, to be greeted by a
very large beach. Thankfully, Carsington had enough water for us, their team had a plan and
all 22 boats successfully launched in slightly higher than expected winds. With the race course
being in view of the galley the shore crew (A.K.A Parents) were treated to some exciting
viewing. With the wind dropping throughout the race the fleet began to split, with the Toppers
having their own personal races and the Lasers, Byte and Graduate battling it out at the front.
After lunch the fleet went out having digested food as well as all the morning's tales. The
wind dropped even more during the afternoon meaning it was all change on the results front.
After packing up the boats and getting changed it was time for presentations, there was a
definite buzz among the sailors, especially the 8 Carsington Cadets who had just completed
their first DYS race. Congratulations to all the sailors who took part, to Patrick & Jonathan in
their Graduate, who were overall winners for the day and to Jacob and George who were
second and third.
In total contrast to Carsington, Saturday the 17th September looked set to be a light wind
event, except the wind had other plans to provided a great day of sailing. All fifteen boats
were rigged and ready for the 10.30am briefing for this penultimate race and with
Swarkestone being a smaller water, all but the top mark were visible to the shore crew, even
from the comfort of the club house.
The series leader in his Byte C1 and the second place Graduate were racing closely on
handicap, timing each other across the line. The Laser fleet were battling it out to see who
could finish 1st on the water and the large fleet of Toppers were yet again having their own
competition. Race 1 was won by George in his Byte and with two back to back races after
lunch it was all to play for. Race 2 and 3 did not disappoint, with less than 14 seconds, on
corrected time, between first and second place in the last race there was some very close
racing.
Elsewhere in the fleet, the Hartley 12 was finding confidence in their 1st DYS event
and mixing in with the Toppers, who were busy swapping places. The Lasers couldn't decide
who was going to win, so all three took a turn at leading their little private battle.
The wind did its usual trick and gave us some gusty moments and a few wind holes, but
judging by the chatter on the bank, it sounded like they all had a great day. Congratulations to
all who took part, especially the four new to DYS sailors. The local boys, Patrick and Jonathan
were the event winners and now lead the overall series for the first time. George was second
in his Byte and Reuben third in his Topper.
The last event of 2022 will be at Staunton Harold Sailing club on the 29th October and it really
is going to be nail biting stuff, not only is there only 1 point between first and second place but fourth
place is currently a tie. With awards night on the same day it's going to be exciting.
For more information about the Derbyshire Youth Sailing Series, please visit our website
www.dysailing.org