Parsons gets his berth in world sailing championships (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Parsons gets his berth in world sailing championships

IT'S a dream come true for Cirencester's Elliott Parsons and Jenny Lennon whose determined efforts have earned them a thoroughly deserved place in the World Championships in Belgium this August.

For South Cerney Sailing Club's 15-year-old Elliott and his crew Jenny (Frensham SC) clinched their slot with a seventh position in the third and final Cadet world team selector held at Brightlingsea in Essex last weekend.

Having previously picked up a third and a fifth, Elliott and Jenny finished the series third overall, and are now ranked third in the country.

There were four other boats from South Cerney SC amongst the 78 entries for this two-day event, being sponsored by Magic Marine, with six races scheduled over Saturday and Sunday.

In race one on day one, Elliott and Jenny read the tide well.

After rounding the windward mark first with a pack of eight boats sharp on their heels, they steadily increased their lead to win by around 25 seconds.

Race two saw Jodie and Stevie Green, the series leaders, ahead at the windward mark but, on the second run they made a mistake.

After being forced to do a penalty turn, they finished second behind Johnathon Moss.

Meanwhile, Elliott and Jenny had been climbing through the fleet during the race and, on the line, they pipped Alex Palmer, from Parkstone, for ninth place.

On a shortened course for the last race of the day, James Wade and Andy Mackay (both Burnham) filled the first two places. Elliott and Jenny played catch up and made eighth by the line.

At the end of day one, Elliott and Jenny had consolidated their position in the top three of the series and, when all the sums had been done, the pair needed just one finish on the next day to secure their team place.

On day two, the first race got underway first time and, without great drama, Elliott and Jenny finished ninth.

But the significance of this was quickly realise as it had secured them a place in the record books as the first South Cerney boat ever to make it into the Great Britain team.

There were still two races to go and, along with South Cerney's record-making duo, two other boats - Jodie and Stevie Green and James Wade and Katie Barr, both from the east coast - had also secured their places.

After the event, the seven-boat team and the reserve boat travelled to Bradwell-on-Sea to begin a week-long training camp with event co-sponsors and the RYA Providing Olympic coaches to begin some intensive training.

Elliott thanks his personal sponsors, Douglas Gill Marine, Rowsell Sails and System Business Solutions, for their support and help in attaining his place in the British team.

South Cerney SC, which operates every weekend at Lake 16 on the Spine Road, is staging a 'Taster Day' on Saturday, June 14, when anyone can try sailing in a variety of boats.

For further information, please call 07071 223618.