Black ties at Hampton Sailing Club

Gold medalist girls attend diamond jubilee laying up dinner and prize giving

The guests of honour at this year’s function at Hampton Sailing Club were two of the Gold medal winners from the Athens Olympics together with Pat Blake a past chairman of the Merlin Rocket Class Association.

Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb were two of the three-person crew in the Yngling keelboat, which did so well at these Olympics. Both are local to the area with Sarah Ayton coming from Ashford whilst Sarah Webb hails from Weybridge.

The Commodore, Richard Page, of Hampton Sailing Club congratulated the girls on their achievements, a sentiment that was warmly echoed by all members and guests present, and wished them every success for the future.

The two Sarahs participated in the presentation of the Octagon Trophy to the winning team from this year’s Youth Regatta. The trophy, seen here being presented by Mr David Smith of Octagon.

Following the presentation the girls offered encouragement to all the junior sailors of the club and quoted their own success as examples of what could be achieved with perseverance and hard work.