Cadets clock up a record turnout at Loch Lomond
Prestwick make their mark at leading event
Young sailors from Prestwick Sailing Club made their mark at a top event at Loch Lomond.
They sent a record 21 cadets to the RYA Scottish Club Trophy which attracted 130 youngsters from 23 clubs.
The event was organised by Royal Yachting Association with a morning of coaching from some of the best coaches in Scotland followed by more serious racing in the afternoon for both team and individual prizes.
Prestwick were awarded two free days’ high performance coaching sessions from RYA Scotland coaches for record attendance.
GB Sailing Team’s Lorenzo Chiavarini was present having just arrived from Rio to offer advice and tell of opportunities available for those wanting to take their sailing to the next level.
Team Prestwick train Wednesday evening.
Cadet night is for those with previous sailing experience and who have achieved their RYA Stage 3 Dinghy Sailing Award through an intensive summer school or one of Prestwick’s after school clubs run by instructor Steve Noble in conjunction with South Ayrshire Council.
This was supplemented with a weekend Race Training Academy where 19 sailors improved their
every skills with a mixture of on water practical sessions, starting procedures, mark rounding skills and on land theory sessions.
This cadet programme was organised by Prestwick’s race coach Cameron McIntyre and Christopher Kilgour assisted by instructor Cameron Milne.
Conditions proved challenging as there was little wind and flat water which is different to what sailors are used to at Prestwick.
There were some excellent performances and a number of the team finished in the top 20.
Thanks goes to Cameron McIntyre for coordinating the event, for organising training throughout the season and creating a real team spirit.
Team Prestwick overall top positions: Blair Nicol ( 13th), Cameron Patterson ( 16th) Christopher McIntyre ( 19th), Jamie Tennant ( 21st) and Eva Forest ( 22nd).
Prestwick Team: In Toppers: Jamie Black, Rory O’Hara, Christopher McIntyre, Eva Forest, Alex Cheng, Gus Gaffney, Kristin Jamieson, Niamh Stewart, Michael Stewart, Troy Clark, Hamish Ablett, Ryan Parry, Ewan Jackson, Matthew Crooke, Rory McMillan, Alexander McMillan, Blair Nicol, Cameron Patterson, Callum Gray, Jamie Tennant and in an Optimist, Tess Crooks.