Sailing young guns celebrate superb win

The seafront-based outfit finally broke the 13-year stranglehold of Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club on the Youth Federation Cup on Saturday.

Bexhill claimed first, third, sixth and seventh places individually, results which were sufficient to wrap up the team competition at Pevensey Bay Sailing Club.

Freddy Connor was the star of the show, winning all four races on a day when the wind progressively strengthened.

Ben Slater came third behind Hastings & St Leonards Sailing Club's Max Richardson, while Peter Harrison was sixth and Becky Barrie was the first female finisher in seventh.

Ben came fourth and Peter fifth in the first race which suited the lighter competitors as a result of the gentle South Easterly breeze and flat sea. Peter and Ben swapped positions during the second race which took place in similar conditions.

The third and fourth races were sailed after lunch, by which time the sea breeze had picked up to a force 2-3 and the swell had built.

Despite being over the line at the start causing him to be placed at the back of the fleet for the start of the third race, Peter finished a respectable sixth. Freddy again showed the fleet a clean pair of heels and finished first with Ben second.

In the last race, Freddy quickly established a considerable lead, clearly demonstrating the skills that have earned him a place in the National Topper Squad. Ben again finished runner-up.

Other Bexhill sailors taking part were Danny Hosie (18th), Greg Keech (19th), Danny Maynard (32nd), Lily Harrison (38th), George Fry (41st), Jack Stockdale (44th).

The annual event was contested by 45 young sailors from Bexhill, Hastings & St Leonards, Newhaven & Seaford, Pevensey Bay and Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour Sailing Clubs.