 |
| Group winners. From left to right winners 13 -16 age group Gordon Baker, Fraser Wright, Paul Magowan, and in winners in 8 - 12 age group Gary Fekkes, Laura Crozier, and Ben Regan. |
Northern Ireland Junior and Youth Rib Champions Crowned
RYA Honda Youth Rib Regional Finals were held on Saturday June 21st at East Down Yacht Club in Strangford Lough where 23 young powerboaters competed in difficult conditions with gale force winds and driving rain to add to the excitement of earning a place at the UK National Finals being held September 21st 2008 at the Southampton Boat Show.
The competition consists of each competitor taking the controls of a 4.8 metre Rigid Inflatable Boat with a 50 hp engine. They are expected to negotiate a slalom course, a simulated man overboard recovery and reverse around marks against the clock. Safety is an important element and each boat has an experienced adult onboard. Winners of the UK National Finals will take home a new Ribcraft 4.8m RIB, Honda BF50 outboard, Indespension trailer and ICOM VHF radio for use at their chosen club.
|
| Group winners. From left to right winners 13 -16 age group Gordon Baker, Fraser Wright, Paul Magowan, and in winners in 8 - 12 age group Gary Fekkes, Laura Crozier, and Ben Regan. |
In the younger age group (8-12 years), Gary Fekkes from EABC fought off fierce competition to win this year’s title. When asked how he felt about winning Gary commented “I was amazed at winning the NI finals. I didn’t think that it was possible as there was so much great competition. I am really looking forward to the Southampton trip.” Runners up in this age group were Laura Crozier from ABC 2nd with Ben Regan from EDYC 3rd.
In the older age band (13-16) winner Paul Magowan from QYC has been on the podium before having won in both age groups and the UK National titles previously. He will once again head over to Southampton to take on the UK’s best young RIB drivers. Paul is an accomplished powerboater and holds several RYA qualifications. This is his last year in the event and he is happy to get to the finals again as he now knows a number of the finalists from other areas in the UK. Runners up were Fraser Wright 2nd EDYC and Gordon Baker 3rd from QYC.
Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for event sponsor Honda said: "We are very proud and pleased to be associated with the RYA Youth RIB Challenge for another year because it allows us to create links with the wider community - giving a younger generation access to our products and helping them engage with interactive, team based, social activities.
Furthermore, as a manufacturer which puts safety at the heart of everything we do, the RIB Challenge gives us a great opportunity to underline this commitment."
Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda, Ribcraft, ICOM and Indespension Trailers.
There are sixteen regional finals across the whole of the UK and overseas. Winners from the two age groups go on to represent the region at the National Final.
For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit www.rya.org.uk
Lisa Waugh
RYA NI regional communicator
Tel: 028 9038 3812
Email: ryani@btconnect.com
www.rya.org.uk