Pugneys Pirates celebrate best ever result in national finals

The talented young Wakefield team qualified for the national showpiece at Pitsford Reservoir, Northampton, when they won the North Zone Championships title last month.

Pirates were joined by the other zone champions from around the country as 90 of the country’s best young windsurfers went for glory and the coveted title of T15 Champion of Champions.

The Pugneys team rose to the occasion and only West Kirby Warriors finished higher in the final standings - a result that delighted the Pirates’ coach Roy Peacock.

He said: “On the whole it was a fantastic performance from our kids. We went from being a bit low on Saturday in flukey winds, to coming out on Sunday in better conditions and really going for it, brilliant to watch.

“As always everyone can’t wait for next year, when we’ll have some good new sailors to unleash!”

Racing was split between the four windsurfing classes (3.5m, 4.5m, 5.8m and Techno 6.8m) with a total of 37 races taking place throughout the weekend on the two courses.

The Spray Sprites, Pirates and the Warriors all claimed victory, winning first place in their classes and received prizes donated by Boardwise and Tushingham.

Special merit awards were presented to Pirates Kate-Lynd Smith and Thomas Hunter.

RYA youth racing manager Duncan Truswell said: “It was a great weekend. The standard of windsurfing was fantastic.

“This weekend has allowed many of the competitors to experience their first taste of competing at a national competition and it’s been great to see them having fun whilst learning a lot about their racing.”