Over the weekend the GYC Junior Laser sailors enjoyed the second of this winter’s two local squad weekends led by RYA National Youth and Junior coach Marcus Lynch.

Saturday saw very light conditions offering a wind strength from zero to about seven or eight knots. With a focus on upwind sailing at the first training weekend, Marcus now drilled the sailors in various starting exercises. The light conditions tested the sailors’ patience but somewhat impressed Marcus could note a full focus throughout the day:

“This is a team that works hard and focuses on the task at hand, regardless of the conditions”, says Marcus and adds firmly: “No doubt, very promising signs, this team shows great potential.”

Sunday saw the final race in the Mercator GYC Frostbite series with the Laser juniors participating taking the numbers up to 23 boats on the start line. Very light winds in the morning building slightly to a force 2-3 towards lunchtime, sunshine and a slight mist offered good conditions for the race where the Laser juniors made the older sailors work for their money. Eventually Alli Cleal in his RS 300 had the final say followed by Laser juniors in places two to four.

After lunch sponsored by Mercator and prize-giving the Laser juniors were back on the water in the afternoon. Two and a half hours with further start exercises and then a final debrief hour rounded off the weekend.

Once again, we can look back at a great, enjoyable weekend with plenty of experiences and learnings to take forward, for sailors as well as local coaches and other helpers. Well done to all for working hard - with the right attitude! Thanks again to Marcus for coming over and supporting us and thanks to all helpers, on and off the water!

Elsewhere, unfortunately the second of the season’s Laser qualifiers at Mountbatten, Plymouth had to be abandoned due to lack of wind and Guernsey sailor Andy Bridgman were among the sailors having to return home without a single race being completed.

Next up for the Laser sailors are now the season’s second Laser 4.7 qualifier at Queen Mary’s this coming weekend followed by the RYA Youth Nationals at Hayling Island and the third Laser 4.7 qualifier at Weymouth on 16-17 April - and of course training on home waters!