10/22/2019
Over the weekend of 12th-13th October, the Durlston Court Sailing Squad attended the RYA Eric Twiname Youth and Junior Team Racing Championship at Oxford Sailing Club, sailing on Farmoor Reservoir.
** For the full resport from Mark Jardine, please CLICK HERE **
This is a huge event with 54 teams and 280 sailors taking part in two categories; the under 16 Juniors sailing in RS Feva dinghies and the under 19 Youths in Fireflys. In 2019 the under 16 Junior category was expanded from 24 to 30 teams due to demand and a phenomenal 210 races were held.
The Durlston Sailing Squad had two teams entered: Durlston Court HW consisting of Harry West, Daniel Vaughan, John Cameron and Sean Jardine; and Durlston Court MT made up of Max Tait, Jacob Cross, Freya England and Evie Cameron. The teams were the two youngest at the event by some margin and the aim of the event was valuable experience for future years, with expectations of picking up any wins against the much older competition, representing top Sailing Clubs, Public Schools and class squads, slim.
During the breaks ashore, the parents kept the kids loaded with food, including Sway Butchers sausages courtesy of David and Nicola West, and enough flapjacks to feed a small army thanks to Simon and Kate Cross. The Durlston Court gazebo was the source of many an envious glance from passing sailors and friends as the kids tucked into the feast.
The Durlston Court Sailing Squad surpassed all expectations, the two youngest teams at the event finishing in 20th and 25th overall. During the event prize giving special mention was made of Durlston Court's participation, stating that it exemplified the spirit of the event with the Squad's battling and cheerful spirit continuing to the very end, receiving a warm round of applause from all those in the packed clubhouse.