Course: CKSDC         Wind Direction:West  Wind Force:2-3

The three photographs above were taken two days before the Junior Helm Race - by Tony Statham

Conditions were ideal for the Junior Helm Race last Friday evening, with a gentle westerly breeze and warm sunshine. The six yachts in this handicap race began at different times, with the slowest boats starting first and the fastest boat starting last. The juniors helms ranged in age from eight to fifteen, but counting everyone, the sailors ranged in age from eight to eighty. The course gave the junior helms experience of the main points of sail, with a beat on the first leg, then a spinnaker run, followed by a reach, before the final beat back to the finish.

Sammy and Erin helmed the J92 Jetta to a convincing win, coming in eight minutes before Jacobi, the second to finish, helmed by Oli, Octavia and Foxy. Forza was third helmed by Gilbert and David. Thanks are due to the organisers, and to the skilled skippers and sailors who provided the safe environment for the youngsters to have this taste of yacht racing. It certainly impressed Harry on White Squall who enthused upon coming ashore, "That's been the best day of my life!"