 HSSC Hythe Hotshots: Team-15 National Champions 2005-2006 |
2006
Even before the event began Hythe's team were to lose two of their key sailors; Jack Brooks (12) and Sam Latham (14) who have just been selected to join the Royal Yachting Association's elite U15 and U17 GBR National Squads. Undeterred the 10 strong team were determined to compete against the other teams of fifteen and to overcome this early set-back. Strong winds on the first day were to favour Hythe's experienced sailors and to challenge its newest members. However the whole team set a blistering pace from the onset, with over half of the team establishing themselves in the top five of their fleets. Stuart Hards and newcomer Thomas Addison sailed brilliantly to secure 1st place by the end of the first day's sailing. Sam Conroy (Current 4.5m National champion) stunned the opposition by completing the courses before the entire fleet had reached the first windward mark, and then showed his stamina and love of high winds by free sailing in-between all the races. In the highly competitive 6.8m Techno Fleet, consistency and unfaltering determination to finish every race in the top four proved highly successful strategies for William Lama and team mate Claudia Carney. The 23 strong 3.5m fleet and difficult conditions provided the newest team members with many challenges, but equally resolute determination to support their team mates saw Alex Barry, Fredo Edwards and Dani Conroy grow in confidence, to put in their best performances all season. With a small but important lead established by the end of the first day it was time for a hog roast, games and plenty of loud music. Lighter winds on day two saw Catriona Hards join team mates on the water, successfully supporting the team's unwavering response to hold on to their hard earned positions from the previous day.
Final overall results: 3rd William Lama, 4th Claudia Carney (1st girl) (6.8m Techno Fleet ), 5th William Hurrell (6.8m Open Fleet), 1st Stuart Hards (5.5m Open and 1st Techno board), 1st Sam Conroy (4.5m Open and 1st Techno board). With newcomers in the 3.5m Fleet; 1st Thomas Addison, 4th Alex Barry, 10th Fredo Edwards and 23rd Catriona Hards, with the Merit Award for exceptional progress going to Dani Conroy The introduction of a 16 lap 'team relay' this year was to provide more prizes an exciting and additional dimension to the Champion's Cup. The inclusion of the team coach to race the last leg of the course produced nail biting tension. Hythe Hotshots' 'Coach Tash', Mark Brooks overtaking the lead team's coach to take first place in the last few seconds of race; amidst the screams of support from his over-enthusiastic team mates and their parents!
"This was certainly one of the closest run competitions, with only five points separating the top three clubs in the country. I am extremely proud of the team's achievement and the honour they bring to the club. Despite its size and not being supported a commercial windsurfing school, Hythe has now clearly established itself as the undefeated National Team Champions and one of the foremost clubs in the country for promoting the highest standards in youth windsurfing. We are particularly grateful to local sponsors Activ, Folkestone and Maui Marine " Said Hythe's coach. 2005 A freshening breeze on the first day saw row after row of competitors starting from the shoreline, this favoured HSSC’s sailors whose skills in quick beach starting are regularly challenged by the rough seas. By the end of the first day and six races Hythe Hotshots had taken the competition by storm, clinching 1st position overall, with places in the top three of every fleet. Andrew Petts could leave his team mates knowing he had contributed significantly to their convincing lead, providing an important 3rd position in the toughest 6.6m fleet.
If more than three races (with 3 discards) were run on Sunday, Andrew’s contribution to the team’s success would have been whittled away and the team’s chances greatly diminished. However poor weather on the morning of the second day gave HSSC the break they were looking for. Strong winds eventually blew away the mist leaving time for just 3 races. Sam Latham and William Lama were the first to take advantage, by continuing to dominate the 5.5m fleet, taking 1st and 2nd place in every race. Claudia Carney went from strength to strength, excelling in the stronger winds to finish 3rd girl in the 6.6m fleet. Jack Brooks, twice National Champion at the age of 11, produced a breathtaking performance throughout, leaving the entire fleet of 23 sailors over 200m behind in the final long distance race. The Stuart Hards and Sam Conroy, the newest team members, were to provide the greatest excitement as they battled with each other over nine races dominating the front of the 3.5m fleet, finishing on equal points with the number of 1st places determining Stuart’s 2nd and Sam’s 3rd place overall. Team coach, Mark Brooks was extremely impressed by the determination shown by each individual member to give their best performance for the team on the day. To compete against the best teams selected from the nine zones throughout Great Britain was wonderful opportunity for the club. To have won so convincingly was a credit to everyone and to the contribution made by other HSSC team members who were unable to make the event due to prior commitments. I have been amazed at the team’s progress throughout the year. The Royal Yachting Association’s Team 15 initiative has attracted hundreds of new youngsters into the sport of windsurfing every year over the past four years. This was the first national event to find the best club in the country. I am enormously proud of their achievement and the prestige their talents have brought to HSSC.
Results: |
