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Two young powerboating aces from the south will take on the UK’s best young RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) driving talent when they compete at the National Final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, to be held at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 16 September 2012.
Charlie (foreground) and runners up. Harrison (background) and runners up.
The pair, both Parkstone Yacht Club RIB drivers, are 13-year-old Harrison Faull, who will be returning to defend the title he clinched last year, and Charlie Martin, aged 12, who will be competing in Southampton for the first time. They beat fourteen other RIB drivers in the regional final at Parkstone to be selected.
After a summer of regional finals across the UK, this year’s national final is gearing up to be a real nail biter and the 2012 Championship has already seen some very close finishes. The youngsters will compete in two age categories; Charlie in the 8-12 years, and Harrison in the 13-16 years.
For Harrison, the finals will represent the chance to win another RIB for the club. He already took one home for them last year. “I can’t wait for the final,” he said. “I would like to win another boat!”
Charlie said “I am proud to be representing Parkstone YC at the final.”
The final will see 28 regional champions from across the UK race against the clock and put their RIB driving skill, control and speed to the test around the championship course to secure the prestigious title – 2012 Honda RYA Youth RIB National Champion. The course will involve tricky timed manoeuvres, including a high speed slalom, a stop exercise and a blast to the finish line, to test every aspect of the youngsters’ powerboat driving skills.
Now in its 11th year, finalists will be battling it out on the water in the hope of winning a fantastic prize. In the 8-12 age group the championship winner will receive a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine for their club, whilst in the 13-16 age group the winner will receive, again for their club, a 4.8m Ribcraft RIB with a Honda BF60 engine.
Andrew Norton, RYA Motor Cruising Projects Manager and Event Director said: “This year’s competition has seen exceptional talent take to the water and we are expecting to see some fierce competition and some very exciting races in the national final”
“The youngsters who participate are the future of sailing clubs and the Honda RYA Youth RIB championship is a fantastic way for them to gain invaluable boat handling and safety skills which are an asset to any sailing club”.
The 2012 Honda RYA Youth RIB Champions will be named at the winner’s presentation held on the Sea Theatre Live Stage at approximately 17.20pm.
The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship, sponsored by Honda and Ribcraft, is a National Championship in which 8-16 year old RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) drivers can demonstrate their boat handling skills in a race against the clock in the hope of winning a 4.8m Ribcraft or Honwave T40 for their club.
David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda said:
“Honda strives to be “a company that society wants to exist”, and so as a major manufacturer of engines and inflatables we are delighted to be sponsoring the 11th year of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship. Inspiring and encouraging young people to discover and pursue a passion for boating, is as important as giving them the skills to do so in a safe and responsible way. We are proud together with the RYA to be doing both through this unique competition”.
Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Ribcraft.
For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib
by admin