BLACKWATER Sailing Club cadets saw successas they travelled to Grafham Water to compete in the RYA’s East Zone Championships.

Seventeen Blackwater sailors took part, sailing in the Optimist, Topper, Feva and Laser 4.7 fleets, with some venturing forth from the Blackwater for the first time.

All did well in challenging conditions in the main body of the water in wind that rarely dipped below force five and saw gusts of up to force six on both days.

Particular success was had the Optimist Regatta fleet, with three club members take the first three places.

George Pickering was first, Hugh Andrews was second and Jessica Taylor third.

In Main Fleet, Joey Taylor was second and Nick Evans fifth after putting in strong and consistent performances throughout the two days.

Taylor was at the forefront of a protest that led to over 20 boats being disqualified in one race for missing out the windward mark and the Blackwater duo's results should mean that both will be invited to join the RYA’s Zone Squad for training over the winter.

Caitlin Webber took first place in the Topper Regatta fleet, while Aimee Taylor and Jamie Norman put in strong performances in the Main Topper fleet. Sophie Johnson and Marnie Aers did well in the Feva fleet as did Lola Andrews competing at an open meeting for the first time in her Laser 4.7.