Papercourt Sailors at Hayling Youth Race Week
A large posse of Papercourt sailors made the trip to Hayling Island Sailing Club for the 2009 Youth Race Week in mid August. A fantastic week was had by sailors and non-sailors alike with sunny weather to satisfy the beach activities and the odd squall to help us all practise our survival skills. The highlight of the week is always the Thursday night ball when all non sailors and parents are banned from the club and the young sailors party until they are allowed after a dinner with the flag officers. The theme this year was Neon and no one could match Xavier Iafrate's outfit so he duly won the prize for best dressed.
On the water the Papercourt sailors mixed it with over 100 entries across 7 fleets . Aaron Smith and Emma Cook won the Fast Handicap fleet sailing an RS200 and a new trophy awarded to the lowest points scorer across all classes in the week. Alice Cook and James Cook finished 6th and 10th respectively in a competitve Topper fleet. Robert Masterman helmed a Feva to 5th in a strong fleet of 25 entries. In the Optmist's there were > 30 boats spread over two fleets Main and Red Ribbon (Regatta fleet). Jamie Smith was 2nd overall in the main and David Brand 3rd. Jessy Hammett was 5th overall and 2nd Lady Helm. Xavier Iafrate 8th, Freddie Verburgt was 9th and Will Birchall 13th. In the Red Ribbon fleet, Papercourt sailors again came in 2nd from Alice Smith (First Lady), 4th Emily Smith (Second Lady), James Hammett was 5th with Will Cook 14th. Annabelle Hammett and Hannah Birchall took charge of the beach and for sure won the "sand castle in bikini awards".
While the English weather always throws up a variety of conditions from sun to squalls and calm to gale the sailors had a wonderful time. Off the water the lure of canoes / RIBs / beach games and just messing around in boats led to a hugely enjoyable week. This is a good race week with 8-10 races completed for all classes over 5 days on good courses in the harbour and is open to HISC and non-HISC members alike (add Lasers 4.7/radial/main and Teras to those mentioned above). The racing usually takes 2-3 hours a day for the main fleets and less for Red Ribbon, who tend to sail near the club, so there is always plenty of time for games and play afterwards. Most of those who came in 2009 have vowed to come again in 2010. If you want more information feel free to chat to any of those that entered this year.
Paul Hammett
