Barnt Green Sailing Club

A Volvo Championship Club and RYA Training Establishment

Junior Helm 2007 was on Saturday September 1st, here is a report by Rob Lennox, thanks also for the photographs.

 

The 2007 BGSC Junior Helm took place on Saturday 1 September, in winds that shifted between North West and South West and were quite variable in strength, giving challenging conditions to all the competitors.  Racing took place in three fleets: Laser 4.7, Cadet, and Optimist.

In the Laser 4.7s, Rachel Lennox led from the start of the first race and went on to win in convincing style.  In the second race, all 5 competitors had the lead at some stage, until Rachel won a close battle with Jo Powell.  This meant Rachel had won the event with a race to spare, but all the other places were up for grabs.

In the final race, Rachel proved her form by winning again, but her sister Charli overtook Jo in the later stages to take second overall. Jo’s third was enough for third overall, with Mark Powell leading Hannah Lennox home, giving them fourth and fifth overall respectively.

 

 

Left, the Laser 4.7 sailors, could this be a caption competition photo?

Below, Rachel Lennox, the winning Laser 4.7 helm, congratulations!

  

The top club Optimist sailors missed the Junior Helm this year due to an Open training event aspiring squad members felt they had to attend.  This left the field open for an intriguing series between three young sailors who had completed the August training at BGSC a few days before.  Using the club “Pathway” boats, they were expertly coached round the course by Katy Hall.   In the first race, the finishing order was Sasha Brereton, Joe Hubbell, and Max Willcock.  In the second race, the finishing order was reversed, Max first, Joe second, Sasha third.

 

This meant that going into the final race; all three sailors were tied on 4 points apiece.  In the event, the three boats finished very close together, with Sasha followed by Joe then Max, giving overall victory to Sasha, Max second on tie-break due to his race win, and Joe a very close third.

 

 

In the Cadets, Sam Evans and Jake Baker established an early lead in the first race that they comfortably held to the finish.

 

In the second race, Joe Taylor and Rebecca Rowe led until they missed out the outer distance mark at the end of the first lap.  While returning to correct their course they let their rivals through.  Sam and Jake then went on to stretch their lead until the finish to take the race and the event.

 

With no possibility of the final result changing, both teams elected not to sail in the final race.

 

In all, it was a very successful day, and the rain held off !

 

Left.  Sam Evans and Jake Baker at the prize giving with Rob Lennox smiling on, pleased to have run such an enjoyable day.  Congratulations to Sam, Jake and Sasha for their wins and a big well done to all who took part.

 

Note from web admin.  If anyone has an image of the Oppi's and/or Cadets sailing at the event please send them to Web Admin. email

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Below is a report on the 2006 event.....

The Junior Helm Event 2006 was on Saturday 9th September.  A day of racing for Juniors of all abilities and experience.

Fun races at the end of the afternoon followed by a BBQ

Below are Sam Evans and Kate Rowe sailing along the line preparing for the start of a Cadet race

The Junior helm was a fantastic success with 15 Cadets sailing with Barnt Green, Draycote and West Kirby boats all competing in a very competitive fleet. It was good to see that our own boats were not that far away from the National Squad boats and even more pleasing to see the event event won by Emma Best, a Barnt Green Boat!
There were 6 Oppies with notable performances from Jess Pickworth and William Lockett competing in their first events.
 
In the Cadets Alice and Donald Pickworth and Sam Evans and Kate Rowe experienced their first competive start line. Whilst Harri Jordan from Draycote won her first race at an open meeting. The event concluded with a treasure hunt and fun and games on the water.
 
Our thanks should go to the excellent Galley team who not only provided Bacon Sarnies but also Lunches. The event concluded with a BBQ into the fading late evening sun. Also to Lennox's, Mike Pickworth and Gemma Suggitt for assistance in organising the excellent racing.
(Report by Carl Taylor, Cadet Squadron Leader)
 

 

 

     Cadet (note that these Cadet races were also part of the RYA West Zone Team selection series)

    Optimist    

 

      

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