South Cerney's Elliott and Mikey fly the flag for GB (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

South Cerney's Elliott and Mikey fly the flag for GB

REGISTRATION and measurement for the Flanders Youth Sailing Regatta in Belgium, which start started on July 5, saw eight different classes and over 600 sailors from over 18 different countries including Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the USA.

Amongst the cadet class were three boats from South Cerney Elliott Parsons (14), from Cirencester, with his crew Mikey Fisher (13) (West Swindon); Purtons Lesley Bannister (15) and her crew Hannah Holloway, and Kyle Watt (13) with his crew Matt Mill, both from Churchdown.

South Cerney youngsters were set for a ten tough races over five days and facing a force three to four win for race one on Saturday.

At the finish, Belgiums Jim Haverals, the current European champion, was first. the Belorussian champion took second while Elliott Parsons and Mike fisher finished fifth.

The following day, similar conditions prevailed for race two with Elliott and Mikey, in 9156 Great White, finishing sixth by pipping the Belorussian on the line.

Race three got underway shortly after and Elliott challenged the leaders before finishing fourth.

On day three, the British boats misread the tide and finished poorly in the first race.

In race five, things got a little better with Elliott and Mikey snatching another fifth place. The Belgians had their world team at this event showing that the competition was really very tough.

In race six, the final one of the day, Elliott and Mikey got a third by beating the European champion on his own water. Kyle Watt and Matt Mills finished eighth.

On day four and in a lighter wind, Lesley Bannister and Hannah Holloway had some running repairs to toe-straps, main sheet and Pintels through the day.

Nonetheless, they did well to keep going while Elliott and Mikey continued in good form to finished the day equal fifth. Racing on the last day was abandoned due to a lack of wind.

Final results put Elliott and Mikey in sixth and on the same points as the fifth-placed boat.

However, in this prestigious European event, they were the top-placed British boat.

Not only that, they were also the first South Cerney boat to bring back a prize from a European event in what was a first for them in a season of firsts.