Contenders Triumph at the 2025 RYA Youth Nationals Sailing Competition
Sailors from the UK's younger generation flocked to Pwllheli for the 2025 RYA Youth National Championships, a week-long event that saw new titleholders emerge amidst challenging race conditions. The spectacle unfolded at Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy, from April 14 to 18.
The competition showcased the nation's budding talent across six youth classes: 420, Nacra 15, 29er, ILCA 6, ILCA 7, and the high-octane iQFOiL windfoilers.
Chris Marsh added a second consecutive ILCA 7 title to his 2023 ILCA 6 victory, the event's grand finale on April 18. Alexander Meadway (iQFOiL), Amelie Hiscocks (29er), and the 420 pairing of Sabine Potter-Merle Nieuwland repeated their victories from the previous year.
The final day consisted of Olympic-style medal races, where the 420, 29er, and ILCA 6 fleets faced nail-biting ten-boat-showdowns. The iQFOiL fleet, meanwhile, competed in a dynamic knockout final series, resembling senior international events.
The event was graced by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, RYA President, throughout its duration. Oli Woodcock, RYA Youth Racing Manager, praised the competitors and volunteers for their unwavering determination, adaptability, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.
Across the fleets
420
The 420 contest came down to the wire, with Joseph Jones-Hennie Burlton and William Fletcher-Matthew Rayner locked in a tight title race. In the end, a victory in the medal race and a superior medal race position handed the championship to Jones-Hennie Burlton.
Sabine Potter-Merle Nieuwland claimed the overall bronze medal, narrowly missing silver by four points. India Eastwood-Isla Fletcher and Tabitha Davies-Sophia Sfaxi completed the female podium.
"It feels really, really good. Really good to end a week-long event on a high," said Jones-Hennie Burlton.
"Pretty good. We've definitely had breeze on for the last two days. The wind picked up for the last race today and we quite enjoyed ourselves!" added Potter-Merle Nieuwland.
29er
Jac Bailey-Ben Sinfield and Dirk Rogers-William McEwen continued their class dominance in Pwllheli, finishing the event with a 26-point margin. The British duo placed first or second in nine out of the twelve races.
Lila Edwards-Amelie Hiscocks missed the overall podium by mere 0.5 points, securing the female national title for the second consecutive year.
Ben Sinfield shared his plans for the upcoming events: "In the medal race we just had to stay in the front bit of the fleet to win, so it was about not doing anything stupid and keeping it calm, play it safe."
Amelie Hiscocks expressed her satisfaction with the week: "We're a little bit disappointed after the medal race as we went in third with a chance of getting second but we dropped out of the podium to fourth. But we're still really happy with the week."
ILCA
Chris Marsh clinched his third consecutive Youth National Championships win in the ILCA 7, following his 2023 title in the ILCA 6. Poppy Luxton ruled the ILCA 6 female fleet, with six consecutive race wins and a victory in the final medal race.
Toby Waggett dominated the ILCA 6 male event with six race wins out of nine opening series races. He also took home the title by finishing first in the medal race.
iQFOiL
Alexander Meadway defended his 2023 title in the iQFOiL class, finishing the event with a comfortable margin. The top three podium spots were occupied by Parkstone Yacht Club riders.
Nacra 15
Belgian teams dominated the Nacra 15 class, claiming the top three podium positions. Hannelien Borghuis-Sander Borghuis, representing the Royal Belgian Sailing Club, remained unbeaten throughout the event.
The event wrapped up on Easter Sunday, celebrating the shining stars of the UK's youth sailing scene. Full results are available on the RYA Youth Nationals website.
[1] Orlando Gledhill, Mark Lyttle win ILCA 7 Masters category in 2025 RYA Youth National Championships - https://www.sailing.org.uk/news/273783/Orlando-Gledhill--Mark-Lyttle-win-ILCA-7-Masters-category-in-2025-RYA-Youth-National-Championships[2] Jack Hume claims 2025 Cork Week victory, Jordan Kavanagh takes runner-up spot - https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/273548/Jack-Hume-claims-2025-Cork-Week-victory-Jordan-Kavanagh-takes-runner-up-spot[3] Ewan Macdonald claims 2025 GraICC Tiger Trophy - https://www.sailing.org.uk/news/273474/Ewan-Macdonald-claims-2025-GraICC-Tiger-Trophy[4] Georgia Lewin and Maisie Lawrence crowned 2025 Youth Laser Radial Champions - https://www.sailing.org.uk/news/273895/Georgia-Lewin-and-Maisie-Lawrence-crowned-2025-Youth-Laser-Radial-Champions
Youth sailors demonstrated their passion for sports during the 2025 RYA Youth National Championships, presenting a competitive spirit across various fleets. The week-long event, held from April 14 to 18 at Plas Heli, showcased the nation's burgeoning talent across six youth classes, including the 420, Nacra 15, 29er, ILCA 6, ILCA 7, and the iQFOiL windfoilers.
