The Manx Youth Sailing Squad was formed in 2008 and over the last four years the sailors have become incredibly competitive on the UK and international RS Tera circuit.
The MYSS has the brief of training a squad of sailors aged 8 – 13 in the RS Tera Class boats and taking them to the National and Inland championship each year. In 2008 Greg Kelly finished 4th overall at the Inland Championship, winning the first race! In 2009 the squad won the RS Tera National Team Champions trophy for the best overall results from one club. In 2010 they won the RS Tera Inland Team Champions trophy.
2010 also saw some outstanding individual performances; James Kelly was crowned RS Tera World Champion and Hannah Howitt finished first lady and Izzy Sharpe second lady at the Worlds.
In 2011 Greg Kelly finished 4th overall at the National, Inland and World Championships. Amie Shute finished 5th overall at the Worlds and second lady.
2011 saw Hannah, Izzy and James move from the Teras into the Laser Radial class and they are now experiencing competition against the GBR Olympic hopefuls of the future.
In 2012 the Isle of Man can boast another World Champion. Having finished 4th again at the Nationals this year, Greg Kelly went on to win the World Championship in Italy. He went on the finish the season with a double, winning the UK Inland Championship too! Four members of the MYSS competed at the Worlds and all the Manx sailors finished in the top 10 in their respective fleets. Congratulations to Ffinlo Wright who narrowly missed out on the podium, Amie Shute who was 9th in the Pro fleet and Ben Batchelor who was 8th in the Sport fleet.
This year the Tera team will attend the National, Inland and World Championships. The MYSS is also looking to recruit two new members for 2013. At 7th Wave we are running a Race Training week from 25th to 29th March for any individuals who want to have a go at racing and might want to be considered for the Squad.
The RS Tera Northern Championship will take place at the IOMYC on 4th & 5th May, this event will also be used as an indicator event for Squad selection. Membership of the Squad is by invitation. If you would like to be considered for the MYSS please contact Jenni at 7th Wave.
2012 Squad Training Dates are:
- 19th & 20th May
- 9th & 10th June
- 7th & 8th July
- 3rd & 4th September
