September 10th and 11th will be remembered for more than being the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

It was the second weekend that SYCSA/DSC young sailors went on tour, not only to avoid the low water at Durleigh, but also to extend their experience of racing.

Caitlin and Izzie spent the weekend sailing their Optimists at Bowmoor Lake in Gloucestershire. This was an open coaching day followed by the South West Zone Squad Indicator racing day.

The RYA coaches spent all day Saturday concentrating on key skills and improving technique for everyone. On Sunday, with winds reaching 22 knots at times, all the sailors raced together in two fleets: Zone Squad sailors /wannabe's and ‘Regatta’ fleet for the less experienced.

Six good races were achieved, with some very strong gusts and challenging wind shifts. For Caitlin, this was the first time that she had started in a fleet of over 30 boats. In those winds it was a baptism indeed!

The results were great for Durleigh!

Caitlin achieved a fantastic and well-deserved 2nd place in the Regatta Fleet. Also, because she had started the weekend in the ‘Pirates’ (hardly-ever-raced-before) group she won that fleet as well. The winner was Betine Harris, from Axbridge – so it was a Somerset 1-2!

In the Main Fleet of experienced racers, Izzie also came 2nd (beaten by a Welsh Regional Squad sailor) so she is pleased too.

Meanwhile there was a good turnout of Durleigh juniors at Wimbleball on Sunday11th for the Somerset Square series.

There were separate races and prizes for juniors and adults.

It was very windy and exceptionally gusty - the tail end of tropical cyclone Katia - so only a few completed all 3 races. However, everyone had exciting sailing (too exciting at times?) even if the conditions eventually got the better of them.

Thanks to all these who made the effort and braved the conditions:

Juniors:
Luke Warman Laser 4.7
James McCleod Pico
Elliott Pope Pico
Max Ross Laser Radial

and thanks to the parents of the juniors for getting them there.

Adults:
Matt Williams Pico
Nick Alford Laser

Durleigh stars of the day were

• Luke Warman who came a brilliant 5th out of 20 in the junior event in his first ever sail on a Laser
• Matt Williams who borrowed a well worn Pico (as a junior), but had to sail in the adult race as he's now 18 and achieved an excellent 10th out of 17.

Well done all of you!

Durleigh is now firmly on the Junior racing map and attracting attention form other clubs and RYA Coaches.

Volvo Champion Club here we come!