Wraysbury young sailors came close to glory

Jul 2 2009 By Tim Street

FIVE young sailors from Wraysbury Lake Sailing Club came close to glory in the club’s Optimist Open on Saturday.

They were among 80 competitors at the event, which incorporated the Thames Valley Open Championships. Wraysbury team-mates Robert Baddeley, James Taylor and Jamie Webb came third, fourth and fifth in the Main Fleet race for more experienced sailors.

Thomas Newton went one better in the Regatta Fleet race, for those just starting out in competitive racing, coming second. So too did Jenny Smallwood, who was pipped by a single point to the First Girl prize.

The overall winner, crowned Thames Valley champion, was Murray Hampshire of Papercourt Sailing Club in Ripley, near Woking.

Optimist Fleet captain Andy Newton said: "It was a wonderful day’s sailing, and it was great to see these young people enjoying the competition and displaying their sailing skills.

"The event was so popular we had to close the registration three weeks ago, and it’s a compliment to the clubs members who turned out to help that we are able to handle an event of this size."

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