2026 Youth League!
Published 19:53 on 4 Jul 2026
It was the first Saturday of July and all though the land, boats were coming to play, spars and smiles in hand.
With 31 sailors from Ely, Cam, Graham and Hunts, it was a spectacular day and the most boats we've had at an Ely Youth League for a good while and we loved it. The gazebos were out, the suncream was on and... For once... The committee boat anchored first time!
A few go arounds with the course trying to work out where exactly a beat would be... But, we made it with RO Phil set a wide course from a committee boat start down to 6, up to 8, across to 7, back down to 2 and then up to 3 and round the gybe. And, everyone remembered it!
And what a Youth League it's been. The hard work of the galley crew, rescue boats, committee boat and all the other youth league volunteers paid off.
Kicking off with bacon rolls & coffee before the first race at 11:00 saw a three flight start of Optimists and Teras followed by Toppers and last of all, the ILCA fleet. Good clean starts from everyone and some fantastic sailing around a course set for a wild Westerly wind & everyone made it round fabulously starting the day of quality racing. There was close sailing, all through the fleet but after all the maths was done, it was Kieran who took the win..
Fuelled up with sundaes and pasta, everyone was raring to go again in an increasingly feisty Westerly that saw a few sailors both local and visiting sample the water that fortuitously is rather warm at the moment. Another great start with the ILCAs navigating a nasty last minute wind change necessitating a port hand start for many and it was all go. And everyone embodied the _if you get knocked down, then you get up again_ approach to sailing. There were some quite impressive capsizes - on to dagger boards, over sails, under sails... But all marvelously recovered. Edward, having chopped his way through the fleet took the second win.
Time for the final race and they were off with the gusts all the stronger and never from the same direction (a true Ely experience you could say!). A remarkable, clean race after a few penalties taken on a busy start line with exemplary racing and sportsmanship shown. A special mention to Felicity in an RS Tera who stayed well ahead of the ILCA fleet for most of the race. The Toppers, Optimists and Teras raced superbly but not quite enough to beat Edward in his ILCA for race 3.
After fantastic, sportsmanlike and well fought racing, it was time for prizes (woo!) and *drumroll please*.
First: Edward (Ely)
Second: Kieran (Ely)
Third: Fergus (Ely)
First U15: Isaac (Hunts)
Second U15: Felicity (Cam)
First U12: Alexander (Cam)
Second U12: Zoë (Grafham)
Endeavour: Nikolas (Cam)
Thank you to everyone who came to play and of course to our fab club members who made it happen as always.
Results: https://www.sailwave.com/results/elyscyouthleague.htm
Gallery: https://www.elysailingclub.org/gallery/288103
Last updated 19:59 on 4 July 2026