A team of young sailors from South Queensferry’s Port Edgar Yacht Club has qualified for the final of the European Sailing Champions League later this month – the only British team to do so.
The team have honed their skills at Port Edgar Yacht Club (PEYC), which is now sponsoring them to compete in this prestigious international event. This crew is racing J/70 class yachts against top sailors from other club crews from across Europe in the ultimate keelboat challenge of the year.
The Scottish crew – with Callum Calder on helm and Iain Dick, Callum Reid and Ramsay Leuchers as crew – will now travel to Sardinia to represent GB, Scotland and the club in the final of the European Sailing Champions League in 3 weeks time.
The Sailing Champions League final this year brings together 31 crews from 12 European nations which takes place in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
(http://sailing-championsleague.com/)
The first series of the 2017 Champions League took place close to the historic city of St Petersberg, Russia, in the glorious but cool inshore waters of the Baltic Sea. The first 15 teams qualified from that event in early August.
The second leg, known as ‘Act 2’, of the tournament took place in St Moritz, Switzerland, better known for its chocolate box scenery and downhill skiing. Summertime in the mountains provides a stunning backdrop for Europe’s highest altitude sailing regatta. On the Lake of St. Moritz, only 600 metres wide, fast turning manoeuvres with excellent tactics and perfect handling were key to the success enjoyed by the GB crew.
The breeze was light and tricky which caught the team out in races 5 and 6 leaving them a mountain to climb (no pun intended!) However, they rose to the challenge and having been over the start early managed to get back, produce a remarkable recovery and secure the second place that put them in a qualifying position. A mid fleet result in the last race secured their place in the finals. and after a good first three.
Ian Hards, the club’s Development Officer, said: “The PEYC is proud to have developed such talent in Scotland and we are honoured to support Callum and his team. This result is testament to the success of the race training initiative at the club. If anyone is interested in being a future sailing champion, this superb centre of excellence at the Port Edgar Yacht Club is where to look.”
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