West Kirby are the best in the west
The windsurfing West Kirby Warriors were on home territory for the final battle of 2011, the last T15 West Zone interclub competition of the year.
West Kirby fielded a full strength team of 15 windsurfers, plus an extra six who entered as individuals. With a strong team, and in strong winds, West Kirby were well placed to clinch the series on their home waters. But the five other teams were keen to have their say.
The young windsurfers found the strong winds challenging, but there was still very good competition, especially in the beginners class, the 3.5 metres. This was a very popular class with 22 windsurfers, from age 8 upwards. In that class Paul Halliwell and Oliver Lloyd (both West Kirby Warriors), Ollie Mulhall (Windermere Rufwinds) and Molly Howell (Hollingworth Hunters) traded places regularly, creating an exciting spectacle for the watching parents. Paul took the class, with Molly second and Ollie third.
The 4.5 metre class also had close competition among 12 participants. Sam Kelly and Oliver Eastwood, both of West Kirby Warriors, took first and second, while Joe Thompson of Hollingworth Hunters took third.
Isaac Bradley Baker of West Kirby took the 5.5 metre class in style winning five races out of seven. West Kirby team mates Samson King and Maddy Hughes took second and third.
Michael Lloyd of West Kirby also took five wins in the Techno 6.8 metre class, with team mate Rupert Trambusti in second, and Sebastian Kennedy of Team Astbury in third. The day finished with a mass race under the RYA Sail for Gold initiative, and Michael Lloyd seized the lead just on the finish line to take the Gold Medal in an exciting race.
Other awards were given to people outside the medal positions who did particularly well, as follows;
3.5m Merit Awards: Jake Barrow, Windermere Rufwinds, Joe Pearce, Team Astbury, and Caitlin Hillier, Glorious Glossop.
3.5m Techno Ward: Theo Storey, West Kirby.
4.5m Techno Award: Frances McNab, West Kirby.
5.5m Techno Award: Matthew Fleming, Windermere Rufwinds.
West Kirby Warriors made this their fourth successive victory to take the West Zone interclub series. They now go on to the Champions Cup event to compete for the National title in October. Hollingworth Hunters were elated to take second place in an event for the very first time, ahead of rivals Team Astbury. Outside the top three, Windermere Rufwinds, Glorious Glossop and Scotty’s Piranhas finished in that order.
Organiser Mike Roberts of the RYA said, “We had a great turn out with 48 sailors from 6 teams! Very busy with lots of rescues on a challenging, windy day!!!! But great fun!”
Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde. T15 was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level.
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