PWLLHELI - WALES, Upon hearing the news that Roger Palmer, principle race officer , had abandoned the last days racing at the RYA Youth Championships and Trials 2004, competitors anxiously held their breadth to hear news from RYA youth selectors.

Up for grabs were places in the RYA British Youth Squad where sailors will move onto receive training from the countries best coaches including ex-Olympians. As well as earning a place in the prestigious squad nine sailors were announced for a coveted spot in the RYA British Team for the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships, to be held in Poland during July.

From the beginning of the week it has been an emotional roller coaster for the 300 competitors racing.

In the Mistral fleet the announcement of Richard Potter of Notts County, who came second overall to Peter Bird from Largs and Jilly Bromley who finshed eight overall and third girl, shocked a few members of the audience. However it was the two windsurfers who were more taken aback by the announcement.

Richard, who after finishing second was already on the journey home was convinced that he had blown his chances.

"What a waste of petrol! I was on the way home depressed and pretty miserable thinking I had lost it but I received a phone call telling me of my place in the team. It was the best phone call I could ever receive and am already focusing now on Poland and will be training hard, certainly on my light wind technique".