Sailor Tom to the fore in Bay waters

Shropshire Sailing Club's youngsters left their home waters behind to compete in national championships.

Up against some of the best racers in the country, the club's stars of tomorrow performed excellently.

Tom Endacott, aged 14, of Shrewsbury entered the 12th annual Pico Challenge, which this year was at Colwyn Bay.

The two-day event for Laser Picos attracted 42 entries, but after four races at the end of the first day Tom had scored two firsts and was lying second overall.

On the Sunday, strong winds and stiff competition from students Rydal Penrhos school, resulted in a string of fourth and fifth places with Tom finishing fourth overall.

At Weymouth, three pairs sailed on 2012 Olympic waters in an intensely competitive, but ultimately frustrating RS Feva national championships at Weymouth.

On the first day the 72 dinghies were split into two random fleets, with the results of that day's racing determining whether crews would compete in the Gold or SIlver fleets for the remaining two days.

But, after the first day's sailing, very light winds meant that the race officer could only start one of the eight races scheduled for the last two days, with the youngsters often sitting in their boats for a couple of hours before they were sent ashore again.

Rob Shelley, junior fleet captain at SSC, said: "It was frustrating. They've been training all winter with the Feva northern squad in heavy winds, but when they reach the finals, there was barely a breeze."

Newly formed partnership Hester Brisbourne, of Clive,and Anna McCormack finished 46th on day one and 21st in the Silver fleet overall.

Market Drayton brothers George and Edward Shelley ended day one in 26th and came 35th overall in the Gold fleet.

Siblings Robert and Rebecca Morris, of Holt, near Wrexham, qualified in 27th and finished in 25th.

The overall winners were Tim Gratton and Chris Taylor from Hayling Island SC, successfully defending their championship won in 2008.