The National Spring Championships for 405 youth class was held at Notts County Sailing Club and provided some close an exciting racing over the four days. Penny Jeffcoate of Notts County Sailing Club crewed Tom Odell to come forth overall a great result in such testing conditions, and two of the youngest sailors Holly and Sophie Tuckwood of Notts County gave a very credible performance in their first major regatta.

The Spring Championships were the first major 405 event of the new season. The 405 is an RYA recognised youth asymmetric (where a large sail like the genniker on Ellen McCarthy's boat is used on downwind legs) dinghy class for youths.

The fleet of 15 boats, sailed by 11-15 year olds had some close exciting racing for the four-day event. The twelve race series began in fluky conditions, which favoured some of the lighter weight teams. However by the second day the wind had got up to a good force 4 to 5 and the fleet had exciting racing with plenty of high speed reaches on the windward leeward courses.

The front of the fleet was dominated by Jonny Backhouse and Chris Duffin (Royal Yorkshire) who just managed to beat  Josh and Olly Wilce (Rutland) with Bernard and Andrew Gammon (Covenham, Lincs) and Tom Odell and Penny Jeffcoate (14) (Notts County) not far behind.

Holly (14) and Sophie (11) Tuckwood had their first experience of a major event together, sailing the Notts County Training 405. This boat was purchased by Notts County Sailing Club with a grant from Awards for All, Lottery Grants for Local Groups, to introduce promising youngsters to competitive racing in a recognised youth class, and it is certainly working well.

Commodore Nadina Lincoln said "I am delighted that Notts County Sailing Club could host this prestigious event for a national recognised youth class, and that Notts County youngsters acquitted themselves so well against such strong competition. We also held a very successful youth sailing week including all standards from beginner to those improving or learning to race. There were nearly thirty taking part all aged 7 -14 years old, and shows how well Notts County is developing sailing for the whole family."

As a bit of fun, a novelty race was also held on the Wednesday afternoon. This was a Pro-Am race with pairings based on the positions in the series after 9 races. The crews swapped boats so that the Pro could give the Am some coaching on the water. The team of Bernard and Andrew Gammon (Covenham) and Lucy and Alice Wordley (Carsington) tied for first place with the local team of Holly and Sophie Tuckwood and Tom Odell and Penny Jeffcoate.

1 (355) Jonny Backhouse & Chris Duffin Royal Yorkshire

2 (361) Josh & Olly Wilce Rutland          

3 (364) Bernard & Andrew Gammon Covenham

4 (322) Tom Odell & Penny Jeffcoate  Northampton/ Notts County

5 (344) Chris Kilsby & Jenny Gammon Northampton/Covenham

6 (35) Rosie White & Helen Lasko   Burghfield

Photos copyright David Eberlin