Phil Sparks and crew Ben Gratton were awarded the RYA “Young Sailor of the Year” award at the London Boat Show last week.

Yachts & Yachting reported: “Phil Sparks from Mudiford and Ben Gratton from Guildford were presented with the prestigious YJA Pantaenius Young Sailor of the Year Award 2009 at the Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show on Saturday 9th January 2010. The award was presented by sailing legend Ben Ainslie CBE, a previous winner himself.

Phil and Ben were voted RYA Southern Regional Young Sailors of the Year 2009 last autumn. They won Gold in their 420 on the final day of the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Brazil. They also won first place in the Kiel Week regatta and fifth place in the 420 Class Worlds at Lake Garda.

Phil and Ben were amongst thirteen RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year winners who are voted for by RYA affiliated sailing clubs. These young sailors have made a significant impact on youth sailing, ranging from gold medal winning achievements and overcoming adversity, to the huge amount of hard work and effort they give back to their clubs.”

We add our congratulations!

Photo Copyright Fona Williams

Mudeford Sailing Club is a small and friendly club based on the north-eastern shore of Christchurch Harbour, adjacent to Strides boatyard, about 200m to the left of the end of Argyle Road.  There, we have a Dutch barge “Vrouwe Johanna” which is our club house, galley, race control and meeting place. We were founded on Easter Monday April 3rd 1961 and have been sailing and racing in the Harbour ever since.

The focus of the club is on racing but we have also have a lively social calendar and many opportunities for cruising the beautiful local waters on sunny afternoons.

The most popular boat among the adult sailors is the Laser, with all 3 rig sizes (Standard, Radial and 4.7) sailed every weekend.  Abilities range from National Champions to complete beginner.  There is also a wide variety of single-handed and crewed boats and as all racing is based on the “handicap” of the boats, there is no disadvantage in sailing (for instance) a slower boat like a Mirror Dinghy. Because the Harbour is relatively shallow, it is not really suitable for high performance dinghies since boats with long centreboards and rudders are at a major disadvantage.

Most Junior sailors go for the Optimist, and there is a huge store of expertise in the Club (we have the 2005 and 2006 National Champion sailing with us) but the Topper and Pico are also popular.  We have Club boats which can be used by new members until they decide whether to buy their own

We have had a very successful few years.  The numbers of sailors out racing has doubled: we now have over 2000 individual “sails” per year compared with under 1000 only 4 years ago and 550 in 1999.  This increase is due to new members who have taken a major part in running the club and racing their dinghies. Joining the Club does bring some responsibities: sailors are expected to do their share of Race Officer and Galley duties.

To join, print off the form linked to the next page .  If you know someone in the Club, get them to introduce you on a race day.  If you don’t, then bring the form down to the Barge one Sunday and meet us. A committee member will be glad to propose you for membership.