Windsurfers prepare for Worlds

Myrrh Walker previews the Youth, Junior and Masters World Championships

Racing at the Youth, Junior and Masters Windsurfing World Championships will kick off on Tuesday, 9 August 2005 in Sopot, Poland. This year the RYA have selected a team of 16 talented sailors, all under the age of 19 and all ready sail their way to the top.

After suffering from a case of food poisoning during the 2005 Volvo ISAF Youth World Championships, Peter Bird is back in good health and looking forward to sailing for a gold medal. As the 2003 Under 17 European Champion, Bird will try to repeat his success at the World Championships. Alex Griffiths, Alex Thompson, Beth Williamson and Laura Bray will also compete for a medal in the Under 19 class.

Richard Hamilton is one of the four British sailors competing in the Under 17 category. With several titles under his belt, including current Italian National Champion and 2005 UK National Champion, Hamilton will be hunting down a top three finish. A strong sailor in breezy conditions, Hamilton placed fifth at this event last year. “I’m really looking forward to testing myself against the world’s best windsurfers,” Hamilton explained. “I just hope that all of my training will pay off. I love the thrill of competing and now that the 2012 Olympic Games will be on home waters, I am even more driven to do well at this event and work towards achieving my long term goal of competing in the Olympics.” Hamilton will be joined by team mates Elliot Carney, Anthony Scales and Kim Jiskoot.

Ed Strange and Ali Masters will take to the water in the Boys under 15 class. Each sailor has his different strengths, Strange in stronger air and Masters in lighter conditions. Also sailing in the Boys Under 15 class are Redmond Scales and David Woods.

Girls under 15 will be racing against the boys as the only combined fleet at this year’s World Championships and the British team have a particularly strong entry in the Girls Under 15 fleet. Twelve year old Kirsten O’Callaghan is already shaping up to be a talented windsurfer. O’Callaghan is currently the top British girl windsurfer under 15 and will be one to watch at both this event and in the future. Daisy Brooks and Avril Gibbons will also represent Britain in the Girls Under 15 fleet.

“The British team this year is one of the strongest teams we have put together, explained Helen Cartwright, RYA National Windsurfing Coach. “The depth of talent and ability is huge and across all three classes we have sailors who have the ability to rival the worlds best. All the training is now done and we hope they can make their hard work pay off and perform when it really matters.”