Champion Luke sails to regional title

Jul 16 2008 by Jon Tunney, The Journal

A YOUNG Sunderland teenager showed his skills on the water by becoming the region’s top young sailor.

Luke McGill, 14, held off the opposition from around the North East to take the RYA NE Youth Travellers Series title 2008.

The series attracts young sailors from across the region, with 72 taking part this year. There were six rounds in the series this year, each one at a different club, beginning in April at Scaling Dam, North Yorkshire, and finishing at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland.

Sailing his new Laser dinghy, which he has only had for three months, Luke won four out of the six rounds outright and came second in the other two.

Barbara Darling, series co-ordinator, said: “It attracts some of our best up-and-coming young sailors, some of whom have gone on to win national and international competitions.

“It is a great introduction to racing and it means the youngsters are not overwhelmed and can hold their own in national competitions and in RYA development squads.” Luke’s dad and coach Gerry said: “It is great to have such a competitive series up here in the North East.”