Brits abroad

Several British youths are on their way to Argentina to compete in the 29er World Championships

Only six months after the 2006 29er World Championship was held in Weymouth, British youth sailors are ready to once again put their training to the test as they head to Buenos Aires, Argentina to compete in the 2007 29er World Championship from 21-27 January.

The event, held at the same venue as the 2006 Tornado Worlds, on waters that have been described and ‘tidal and tricky’ by those who have sailed there before, will be attended by a host of British sailors including ten teams who have received grants from the RYA.

With the 29er replacing the 420 as the double handed boys and girls class at the 2007 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships, many youth sailors have swapped their 420’s for the faster 29er skiff.

One sailor who has made the change is 2006 Volvo RYA GBR Youth Worlds Team sailor Sophie Weguelin from Lymington, who after months of winter training, begins her competitive journey in the new boat. Weguelin is joined by another former 420 helm, Sophie Ainsworth from Ashford who takes up the crewing position.

Also making the trip to Argentina are the 2006 RYA 29er Youth National Champions Sarah Martin of Chalfont St. Peter and Surbiton’s Nicola Groves who have continued to go from strength to strength in the class.

Anglesey’s Huw Humphreys and Max Todd, current European Champions and Under 19 silver medallists for the 2006 29er World Championship, will lead British charge in the open fleet while also flying the flag for Wales.

The pair will be closely followed by bronze medallists from the 2006 European World Championship, Henry Maxfield of Farnham and Dicken Maclean from Sutton and by the current Under 19 World Champion Rob Partridge of Weaverham who has paired up with Plymouth helm James Ellis.

“We have a strong number of youth sailors lined up to compete in this event,” Simon Wergan, Youth Racing Manager at the RYA explains, “and I’m certain that the representative for the 2007 ISAF Youth Worlds is somewhere in the mix of British youth sailors attending the Worlds. This event will mark the beginning of the process for us.

“There is also no doubt that these sailors, who have taken the time out from school to compete in Argentina, are committed to their programmes and it’s great to see that they are able to balance the different priorities in their lives.”