Mirror dinghy sailors from Brightlingsea Sailing Club came away from the class’s recent national championships with the best-placed club shield and three top 20 placings out of a very competitive 40-boat entry.
Representing Brightlingsea at the Restronguet Sailing Club event in Cornwall were: Daisie Willett, 5, and dad Daniel; Josie Rist-Heppell, 7, and uncle Simon; Finley Appleton, 11, and mum Emma; and Willow Cross, 11 and dad Stephen. With Willow one of the youngest helms in the championship, the others were crewing for their grown ups in what was the first national event for all of the youngsters.
Simon and Josie leading the fleet
The three-day, six-race event tested the crews with a wide range of conditions, but the Brightlingsea fleet excelled on the last day. In light shifty breezes, they saw off a challenge from the local Cornish boats to see Josie and Simon take two firsts and overall second, followed by Finley and Emma at 14th and Willow and Stephen at 18th.
The sailors thanked team captain Malcom Goodwin – a BSC member, Mirror builder and sailmaker – for all his hard work building up a new generation of Mirror sailors in Brightlingsea.
