TOP sailing prospect Giles Kuzyk triumphed in the 20-strong Laser Radial fleet by winning all eight counting races in Parkstone Yacht Club’s Youth Week.

The Strictly-themed showpiece, which was sponsored by Liverpool Victoria, was one of the club’s most successful events.

Youth Week finished in fine style with perfect weather for the 250 participating sailors, who had 11 races over the six days, none being lost to weather.

Dominant Kuzyk led from the front in his class, while Anna Stoat and Ellie Aldridge also starred and boasted all wins counting in their disciplines.

In the Oppie Bronze Fleet, Katherine Parry also repeated that impressive feat.

Five aces secured victory for Fern Duesbury in the 15-strong Optimist Silver Fleet, with Harry Wilkes and crew Hamish Taylor doing the same to win the Cadet Gold fleet, while Dominic Pottinger and John Ireland took top honours in the Silver Cadets.

Youth Week class winners (Parkstone unless stated), 420: Anna Stoat & Ellie Aldridge (Poole). AB Gold: Isabel Horton. AB Silver: Raffy Martin. AB Bronze: Oscar Shaw. AB with Parent: Freya Johnston & mum. Mirror: Emily Booth & Molly Slade (Poole). Topper Gold: James Alder. Topper Silver: Jenna Vincent. Cadet Gold: Harry Wilkes & Hamish Taylor. Cadet Silver: Dominic Pottinger & John Ireland. Laser 4.7: Hannah Clayton. Laser Radial: Giles Kuzyk. Optimist Gold: James Foster (Poole). Oppie Silver: Fern Duesbury (Poole). Oppie Bronze: Katherine Parry.

  • The western Solent was awash with colour last weekend as Lymington Town Sailing Club hosted the Lymington River Scow National Championships.

Sailors of all ages competed as 40 boats turned out for the event. On both days, a traditional triangle sausage course was sailed with the boats going through the finish gate on each round to enable the race officer to shorten the course if required.

The championships started in varied conditions with race one getting under way with a moderate breeze.

The competitors were in three fleets and, in true Lymington style, competition was fierce.

By the start of the second race, the wind had freshened to some 18 knots and a few competitors called it a day. After a number of boats capsized, which committed the support crews, racing was abandoned on safety grounds.

On Sunday, the wind fluctuated during the morning and increased to a reasonable 12-14 knots in the afternoon. The support RIBs were joined by a few spectator boats. Again, the sailing was highly competitive, especially in the junior fleet where sailors as young as eight years old were racing.

Class winners (RLYC unless stated), Double Handers: James Marsh & Henry Collison (Saphire). Single Handers: Robert Claridge (Pixie – LTSC). Juniors: Fenella Bennett & Vita Heathcote (Tubby). First newcomer trophy: Cy Grisley.