Oliver and Harry win Gold at Club Championships

A Year 7 pupil at Stamford School and his teammate, from Catmose, have won a number of races within the Rutland Sailing Club's Championships over the first weekend of September, and are already in preparation for the next set of championships.Oliver McK entered the annual club championships with his sailing partner, Harry R who is a pupil at Catmose in Oakham, coming first overall in the fifty boat strong race, beating even the adult pairings. The pair won several trophies including 1st Dinghy, 1st Under 12s and 1st Under 15s, and their name will now be added to the club's display board in perpetuity, alongside the names of former Olympic squad sailors.The championships were open to all members of Rutland Sailing Club and involved three 45 minute races including adult, youth and junior racing in a variety of boats, from small single-handed vessels through to fast catamarans and multi-crewed keelboats.The RYA handicap system was applied; with each boat timed over the course, the average lap time calculated and a 'national handicap number' (time correction number to equate for different types of boat) applied to give a corrected time, keeping the race fair.Each boat counted their best two results and discarded the third. Harry and Oliver came first in their first and final races, therefore cementing their win.Stamford’s Head of Sailing, Nick Neve, said “Oliver and his partner Harry join a select group of highly accomplished adult sailors in having their names recorded on the club honours roll. No doubt he will also make good use of the bragging rights at home, having beaten his father into 3rd place. This is no fluke – despite his young age, Oliver has already spent countless hours on the water in a wide variety of boats. Certainly one to watch for the future.”Oliver is already busy preparing for his next competitions, which include the Youth and Junior Championships at Rutland Water, and British Youth Sailing Regional Championships at Grafham Water. Read more about sport at Stamford here.