Junior Grand Prix

30th September 2010

 

The first of this winter‘s series of junior yacht handicap races got underway with great enthusiasm from the young runners on the last day of September. The race, run over a 1¼-mile two-lap course, is open to all club members under the age of 19 at the beginning of the winter season.

27 runners, whose ages ranged from 9 years to 18 years of age, contested the course. The purpose of a yacht handicap is to handicap the runners with the intention that all should finish at the same time, provided all run to their potential. The winner on the night however, 12 year old Jake Morley, really fooled the handicapper by turning in an unexpected but excellent performance which was equal second fastest boys’ time of the evening. He was followed home by two other 12 year olds: Ciaran Douglas & Amy Hedworth. All 3 were competing in this series of races for the first time.

An exciting finish by 15 year olds Daniel Taylor and Alex Haigh, who both started and finished together, saw both improving immensely on last year’s personal best performances: Daniel by 38 seconds and Alex by a staggering 54 seconds, to place her only 24 seconds off the girls’ course record. Both runners are students in year 11 at Churchill Community College, in Wallsend, but the ‘Poly’ is delighted that both have chosen to further their athletics career with the Whitley Bay club. It would appear that they certainly have good potential within the sport.

Other performances worthy of note were from: 9 year old Megan Gilroy, decimating her personal best by 43 seconds: 15 year old ever consistent Brad Munro knocking 18 seconds off his personal best: 13 year old Emre Altunsoy improving by a superb 37 seconds: and special mention also to very promising newcomers 13 year old Sarah Pearce, who returned the second fastest girls’ time of the evening, and 14 year old Jacob Dutton, equalling the second fastest boys’ time of the evening. Both were running in their first grand prix race.

Many thanks, not only to the young people for their enthusiasm and endeavours, but also to the many helpers without whom the event would not be able to go ahead. Next race is to be held Thursday 28th October 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Fastest Times

Boys

1st Daniel Taylor:  7 minutes 35 seconds

=2nd Jake Morley & Emre Altunsoy: 7 minutes 41 seconds        

Girls

1st Alex Haigh   7 minutes 35 seconds

2nd Sarah Pearce  8 minutes 09 seconds

3rd Vicki Tanner 8 minutes 27 seconds