Totnes brothers are picked for UK junior Feva squad

TWO brothers from Totnes have been picked for the UK National Junior squad in the Feva dinghy class. Dan and Finley Armstrong – aged 14 and 12 respectively – train up to three times a week out of Royal Torbay Yacht Club in Torbay, and are among nine boats selected for the squad, which aims to find future Olympians. Dan has been sailing Fevas for the past 18 months, and competed in the 2013 World Championships in Italy, coming 12th overall. He is now sailing with his brother Finley, and together they have gained some excellent results. Part of their squad selection will be undergoing a challenging fitness programme, and Dan and Fin are fortunate to be offered free membership by Tone Leisure in Totnes to help them meet their targets. This year they will be competing nationally in the Grand Prix circuit and National championships, and also at the World Championships in Carnac, France, in July 2014. The Armstrong brothers were among three Feva crews from RTYC who travelled to Grafham Water Sailing Club at the weekend for the first Feva Grand Prix of 2014. The club was also represented by William and James Cunliffe (Torquay Boys Grammar) and the all-girl team of Jess Jobson and Grace Gadd (Churston Ferrers Grammar). The weather was bright but breezy with the wind gusting up to 25 knots which caused some crews to capsize. In some tough conditions, James and William Cunliffe managed a fifth in one race, and were 11th overall, while the Armstrong brothers clocked up one eighth. Race training begins at the club again on Saturday, April 5, and will continue until the autumn. The club are inviting potential sailors to the club on May 10 for Push the Boat Out day when the club's current crop of ace sailors will be ready to take out all new sailors for a trial sail. THE first meeting of the season has been held at Paignton Sailing Club, with 13 boats entering the action for two races. The first race started in light winds which increased throughout the day. The line was port end biased and Nigel Williams (Fireball) shot off from the pin end and continued left, while Arthur Phillips (Solo) went right and came out smelling of roses, beating Bob Cudmore (Laser) into second place on handicap by 24 seconds. Race two, which was also port biased, started in about eight knots of wind. The boats approaching the pin were early but, with a bit of back-pedalling, managed a clean start. Well up and approaching the windward mark, Chris Tillbrook (49er) was on starboard when Elaine Slater (Fireball), on port, bore off to go behind. Unfortunately, the Slaters earned themselves a 720 degree penalty turn when they cleared the boat but rode over the protruding four-foot 49er tiller extension! The Slater's lost valuable distance allowing Nigel Williams to overtake and a close battle ensued. Williams took the fast handicap honours, while Hal Sanderson won the medium handicap. Racing at Paignton will now continue on Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm and Sunday mornings at 10.30am. The club welcomes all comers but boasts classes of Fireballs, Albacores, Lasers, RS600s and Laser 2000's. Sailing courses are also planning to start on Friday evenings and club boats are available for hire to members.