Promising young Welsh sailor Rhys Lewis will be going head to head with the planet’s best when he represents Great Britain at the 2018 Youth Sailing World Championships.
Lewis, 17, from Penarth, Glamorgan, will be part of a 14-strong British Youth Sailing Team at the prestigious week-long regatta taking place in Corpus Christi, Texas, from 14-21 July this year.
The Youth World Championships is the pinnacle in youth racing, and contestants often go on to represent their countries at the Olympic Games.
By competing at the Youth Worlds, Lewis will be following in the footsteps of some of sailing’s biggest stars.
Past contestants include the world’s most decorated Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, 2008 Beijing gold medallists Pippa Wilson and Sarah Ayton, and America’s Cup sailors Iain Percy and Chris Draper.
Lewis earned his place in the British Youth Sailing Team after winning the Youth National Championships in March alongside crew Drew Wright, from Much Wenlock in Shropshire.
“I’m really looking forward to representing Great Britain at the Youth Worlds – it is such a big event that has been a goal of ours to qualify for since we started in the 420,” said Lewis, who is representing Cardiff Bay Yacht Club.
Pic: Marc Turner / RYA
“The main focus during our preparation has been to get used to the equipment that we will be using in the Youth Worlds as lots of it is different to what we are used to.
“Some of our techniques and boat setup has had to be changed to help us adapt to the new kit.
“Our goal is to come away with a medal but it’s a very different style regatta to what we are used to competing in as there will be much fewer boats so anything can happen!”
Racing begins on Monday 16 July and will run until Friday 20 July.
Stay up to date with the British Youth Sailing Team’s progress at the Youth World Championships on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Full results can be found here.
The British Youth Sailing Team for the 2018 Youth Sailing World Championships:
420
Girls: Vita Heathcote (16) and Milly Boyle (17) – Royal Lymington Yacht Club
Boys: Rhys Lewis (16) and Drew Wright (16) – Cardiff Bay Yacht Club
29er
Girls: Freya Black (16) and Millie Aldridge (17) – Parkstone Sailing Club
Boys: Ewan Wilson (14 – Wormit Boating Club) and Finley Armstrong (16 – Royal Torbay Yacht Club)
Laser Radial
Girls: Matilda Nicholls (16) – Royal Lymington Yacht Club
Boys: Jake Bowhay (17) – Stokes Bay Sailing Club
RS:X
Girls: Islay Watson (17) – Loch Insh
Boys: Isaac Lines (18) – Toward Sailing Club
Nacra 15
William Smith (16) and Abigail Clarke (17) – Grafham Water Sailing Club