Louis Saunders (17) from Combs in North Derbyshire is the new Derbyshire Youth Sailing Series Champion after dominating the 2004 series in his Lightning dinghy. ‘Lightning Louis’ has won three of the ten series events, been second in a further three events and with the best six results to count from ten events, this has given him a total score of just 9 points. This means that Combs Sailing Club has provided the Series Champion for the second year running, as it was home territory for last year’s champion, James Lucas (18).

Louis says: “I am thrilled to have won the championship this year but the results don’t really show how hard the other sailors have pressed me. It is really great fun to have the opportunity to sail at all of the ten clubs in Derbyshire, as each piece of water has its own characteristics.”

Runner-up in the series championship goes to Thomas Levick (15) from Ashbourne who, having scored 32 points, the same as the third placed sailor, Ally Britton (14) from Long Eaton, has achieved two series event wins against Ally’s one win and thus takes the runner-up spot on count back.

The Junior Champion is Ben Haynes (9) from Matlock who scored 63 points sailing in his Optimist dinghy, with his best result being a sixth place overall in the final event of the series. Benjamin has achieved a creditable eighth place in the overall standings and has competed in all ten events this year.

This year has been very successful for Derbyshire Youth Sailing winning the coveted Mount Haes youth sailing trophy at Bridlington and taking third place overall at the National Schools Sailing Association Team Racing Championships. The squads’ success has led to the Derbyshire team being selected to compete at the National RYA Team Racing Championships at Grafham Water next month.