This in from Tim Sewell, in his own words. Ed
Royal Victoria Yacht Club Optimist sailor, Haydn Sewell has been selected to join the British Optimist Development Team to compete in the Bodrum International Regatta in Turkey.
Over the May Bank Holiday weekend, the ten year old Island sailor competed in the four day Optimist Selection Trials held at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy, the venue for the London 2012 Olympic sailing competition.
Stiff competition
Seventy eight of the top British sailors from the national squads aged ten to 15 years old were invited to take part in the Selection Trial, all of who were aiming to be selected for one of the World, European, Development or Flanders Regatta Teams.
Over the four days of the event, Weymouth Bay threw a full range of conditions at the young sailors testing them to the full.
Haydn had a steady start to the first day of the event and in medium strength winds scored an 11th, 21st, 34th and 14th to finish the day in 18th place overall.
Testing conditions
On Saturday the sailors faced extremely testing conditions with winds averaging over 20 knots and gusting up to 30kts. For Haydn the smallest, lightest and one of the youngest sailors in the event it was always going to be a very difficult day.
With each race lasting around an hour it was a case of staying upright and getting round the course for Haydn who slipped down to 40th overall by the end of the day.
Size and weight an advantage
The third day brought with a complete reversal with very light winds reaching up to around ten knots giving Haydn a chance to take advantage of his size and weight.
This he did with a great days sailing that included a second and fifth to finish the 12 race series in 30th place overall.
Bodrum International Regatta
This position means that Haydn joins the team of eight sailors that from around the country that will travel to Turkey to compete in the Bodrum International Regatta that takes place on 30 May – 2 June
Commenting on his selection Haydn said
“The Selection Trials was a brilliant event and I am really pleased with my result, especially as Saturday was so hard. To get a second place in one of the races was awesome. I am so excited to be selected for the Development Team, it will be my first event in a different country.”
Along with being selected for the Development Team Haydn is part of the British Optimist Team that will be competing in the Irish National Championships in August.
You can read more about Haydn’s sailing at http://haydnsewell1.blogspot.co.uk
Image: © Peter Newton Photography
