Second Spring Series

The second RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series will take place this weekend in Rutland

The RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series hits the Midlands this weekend 17-18 March, with Rutland Sailing Club playing host to the second event of this three-weekend tour.

With westerly breezes around the 15 knot mark forecast for the opening day, increasing to 20 knots on Sunday, the stage is set for some exciting battles on Rutland Water over the next two days.

The Spring Series, comprising of three early season events, provides a focus for new talents either on the World Class programme or aspiring to be, regular Olympic classes racers, as well as the top Skandia Team GBR performers when available.

Young windsurfing talents Richard Hamilton and Beth Williamson took centre stage at last month’s opening Spring Series event at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy 17-18 February.

Hamilton, Great Britain’s representative in the RS:X class at the 2006 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, secured victory securing four first place finishes and a second across the five-race series, while Williamson held her own in the mixed windsurfing fleet to end the opening Spring Series event in eighth place overall and as highest female finisher.

Skandia Team GBR performance squad sailor Matt Howard topped the table in the Finn class at the Weymouth event, with Hayling Island Sailing Club’s Jonny McGovern and Tom Mapplebeck victorious with three race wins a third from their series and Hannah Mills and Katrina Hughes the top female crew in the 470.

“As is the tradition of these multi-Olympic class events, Rutland will be host to six classes this weekend, including a first for the SKUD-18 – the new Paralympic double-hander – which joins the 2.4mR, RS:X, 470, Finn and 49er classes,” explained Olympic Development Squad Manager Barrie Edgington.

“The weekend should see a good turnout of weekend warriors and young World Class squad talents, and all competitors will be using this event to get a good measure of their form after the winter training months,” he continued.

The 2007 RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series concludes with the third and final event to be held at the Warsash Sailing Club from 12-13 May.