Young yachties take command

BY PAUL CLARKE AND JOHN LORD - HUTT NEWS

Nine-year-old Natasha Porter saw off older opposition to win the inaugural Pencarrow Rotary Yachting Youth Race on November 29.

The Lowry Bay Yacht Club-hosted event saw nine- to 15-year-olds take the helms of seven- to 10-metre keelboats on a course around the eastern side of the harbour.

The 11 competitors all had some sailing experience, either on dinghies or as family crew on larger boats, but it is rare for them to get the chance to take the helm of a big boat in a race  and the club was keen to give them that chance.

With wind speeds right on the 15-knot limit set by the organisers, it became quite a physical race. That might have favoured the older children at the helm, but Natasha, the youngest competitor, sailing the 8.4m Minika, held her nerve throughout the race.

A tense last leg to the finish saw Natasha, Matt Heath, 15, on Hawkeye, Sean Campbell, 11, on Jigsaw, and Natasha's older brother Cole, 11, on 2 Low 4 Zero engage in some close-quarter tactical sailing.

The results, adjusted for age and boat, were even closer.

Nathan Hermans was second on handicap, Shayna Robinson third, Matt Heath fourth and cousins Sean and Alastair Campbell fifth.

Minika's owner Ian White was one of the Lowry Bay Yacht Club members who volunteered their boats for the event.

"The grown-ups enjoyed it as much as the kids. Having them on board livened up the whole thing."

Ian is keen to get involved again next year. The kids are all keen, too  most of them were out again right after a lunch stop, crewing in a regular club race.

Pencarrow Rotary has donated the Pencarrow Yachting Cup in commemoration of 150 years of Pencarrow Lighthouse. Speaking at the prizegiving, spokesman Mark Jacobsen said it would be working to ensure that next year's race built on the success of this one in getting young people involved in sport.

Club vice-commodore Judy Lymbery confirmed that planning for next October's event had already started.

"There's an active community of kids sailing dinghies in the Hutt that we'd like to give a chance on the bigger boats. We can increase the number of boats on the water. We can also get many more children involved as crew," she said.

The club is particularly keen to attract youngsters from the neighbouring Muitai Yacht Club (Eastbourne) and Heretaunga Boating Club (Petone).