2017 West Sussex Schools Youth Sailing Association Regatta

Dell Quay Sailing Club (DQSC) played hosts to the annual West Sussex Schools and Youth Sailing Association (WSSYSA) Regatta over the weekend of 9/10 September which saw a total entry of 129 dinghies and 158 children aged 8-18, representing 9 different clubs. The competitors were split across two courses and four fleets to cater for Topper and Optimist Dinghies, with Fast and Slow Handicap fleets for all others.

Double Olympic Medallist and local Chichester Yacht Club (CYC) member Sarah Ayton provided coaching for the children over the course of the weekend, with a briefing before sailing, some on the water video and then a debrief afterwards.

After a briefing just before lunchtime on Saturday the sailors were all on the water within 30 minutes and out to sail 3 consecutive races. In challenging conditions at the upper end of the wind scale for some, the sailors all sailed very well and the majority managed to complete the 3 close races. On returning ashore, the sailors were well catered for by the galley team at DQSC and had the opportunity to purchase regatta branded clothing provided by Krowmark who were on-site for the weekend.

Unfortunately the strong winds did arrive as forecast on Sunday so the sensible decision was taken not to launch. After some further coaching from Sarah whilst the results were prepared, the prizegiving was held. All sailors acquitted themselves very well but of special local mention are Ella Jones (DQSC), Effie Grant (CYC) and Thomas Dempsey (CYC) for taking 3,2,1 respectively in the Optimist Fleet, Lizzie Kies (DQSC) – 1st Pico and Max Sydenham (DQSC) - 1st RS Tera. At the end of the prizegiving came the award of “WSSYSA Regatta Team Prize” with the best 5 results from each club counting towards the team rankings.

Overall Team results this year saw

  1. Felpham Sailing Club again taking the overall win.
  2. Dell Quay Sailing Club in a creditable 2nd
  3. Chichester Yacht Club in 3rd,

Full race results can be viewed on the DQSC Race Results page by selecting "WSSYSA Regatta" from the "Result Set" dropdown.

Special thanks must go to DQSC Race Officers Mark Harper and Graham Dalton and their teams for running the racing, the DQSC and visiting safety crews, Starlight Coaching for the provision of First Aid cover throughout the event, the Chichester Harbour Conservancy for allowing use of the Education Centre on Dell Quay and all of the volunteers who helped to run the event for the children – a great team effort overall.

 

pictures by:
    Peter Blow
    Andy Morley

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