Young East Midlands sailors are continuing to make waves in their ambitions to become a top international sailors after impressing at the prestigious RYA Zone Championships last month (26-27 September).

Covenham SC’s Billy Ellis won four out of six races to top the podium in the 6.8m2 windsurfer class at the RYA Midlands Zone Championships, which were hosted at Rutland. 

At the same event Hykeham SC's Nick Welbourn took second place in the Topper class, with Hollowell SC's Morgan Smith and Andrew Sturt in third and fourth spot respectively. The class was won by Manor Park SC's Krishan Bhogal from Staffordshire, while Glossop SC's Johan Kidger was third in the 4.5 windsurfer class.

Meanwhile Staunton Harold SC's Chloe Felton secured first girl and second overall in the Optimist at the RYA North Zone Championships at Ullswater YC. This is the fourth year in a row Chloe has been on the podium at the Zone Championships.

The RYA Zone Championships traditionally mark the end of the Junior racing season and are a key event for any sailor wishing to be selected for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads, which are the first step on the pathway to Olympic Classes sailing.

The Midlands and North championships were amongst eight RYA Zone and Home Country events taking place at the same time, with more than 1,025 of the nation’s brightest young talents hitting the water in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

With the breeze very light and tricky all weekend at Rutland, concentration was the key to success. 

But full of confidence after recently taking bronze on the smaller 5.8m2 windsurfer at the recent RYA/UKWA National Windsurfing Championships at Grafham Water, Billy, who honed his skills through Covenham Cyclones Team15, produced a dominant Zones display.

At Ullswater Chloe finished tied level on points with first placed Drew Gibbons (Redesmere SC) in the 40-strong Optimist fleet, only narrowly missing out on top spot as Drew had the higher result in the final race. 

She said: "Saturday was frustrating with frequent wind readings of 0 knots so we spent the day on shore. Sunday's forecast was better, and although there was a delay we got in three good races after lunch. 

"I had a brilliant start in race two to take control, leading all the way round the course and lapping some of the back markers, while some tactical sailing help me get a second in race three."

Chloe’s brother Jacob finished 10th overall in the class with Staunton Harold club mate, Tara Ewbank, 35th. Meanwhile Tara's brother Kamran was in Topper action at the RYA Midlands Zone Championships, finishing 17th.

The RYA Zone Championships give youngsters the chance to experience big regatta racing, to improve their racing skills and overall ability without having to travel far from their home clubs. 

For more information and the full list of results from the 2015 RYA Zone and Home Country Championships visit www.ryaracingevents.org.uk