rya rib finals m sears

RIB finals Mark comes 4th

2009 RYA National Honda Rib challenge final at Southampton boat show, 13th September

Mark Sears, representing Notts County Sailing Club, came 4th in the 8 -12 age group, out of 17 competitors in the RYA Honda rib challenge on Sunday. He drove well, posting a time of 1min, 26sec. on his second run. The winner, Steven Curtis, was last year's champion so was always favourite. On the day he posted an unbeatable 1min, 7sec which goes to show what can be achieved by youngsters given the opportunity. (For reference the winning 16 year old did the same course in 1min, 4 sec).

The RYA, supported by Honda, Ribcraft and several other sponsors, ran the event superbly. Competitors were put at ease beforehand as they were given a goody bag, kitted out in the sponsor's yellow jerseys and taken to the pontoons below the hugely impressive Sunseeker stand. The course was in the docks next to the show marina, giving spectators and supporters fabulous views, either from the decks of the "Lord Nelson" square rig ship or the pontoons alongside the course. The competition lasted all day, with each region allocated a time slot for their 2 competitors (1 senior, 1 junior) to each do two timed runs over the course. This included a slalom run, 360 degrees reverse around a buoy and a man over-board test stopping to lift and replace a ring over a post attached to a buoy. There was no opportunity to practise beforehand which made it tough to judge the manoeuvres. Mark missed the pole when he tried to replace the ring on his first run as the wind blew him beyond the buoy, but got it spot on at his 2nd attempt.

After Mark came ashore we were free to go round the show, managing to get on board a few smart yachts as well as an RNLI Lifeboat, a Police patrol boat, an oceanographic research vessel and the "Lord Nelson". We decided not to go on the Sunseeker stand as the Salesmen all looked like they were members of the Mafia in their dark suits and sunglasses. The prices put us off a bit too!

The final group finished around 5pm and the prizegiving followed at the Honda show stand about 6pm with lots of speeches, certificates for all competitors and publicity shots of the winners on the podium. After that a 3 hour drive home and the end of a long but great day.

A big thanks to Ian Pilkington and everyone in the team of trainers and helpers who once again gave their time to train the young club members, enabling them to have the thrill of driving a powerboat and taking part in the contest.

The photos are of Mark beforehand and on the course as well as a couple of the viewing area at the show, and some of the posh boats at the show!

This is the page on the RYA website; http://www.rya.org.uk/programmes/hondaryayouthrib