This Is Guernsey

Sophie Platts racing in New Zealand, where she finished 21st in the female fleet. (Picture by Rob Platts, 0555372)

SOPHIE PLATTS had her best race of the Laser Radial Youth World Championships on the final day of competition, but it was not enough to change her overnight position.

She ended the event 21st out of 38 sailors after a 14th place to finish off. ‘It’s been a roller coaster of a week,’ Platts said.

‘I’m very disappointed that I didn’t manage my ultimate dream of a place in the top 10 but, back in July when we learnt the worlds were to be in New Zealand, my goal was simply to qualify to race here for Great Britain and for Guernsey – that I have achieved and it has been an amazing experience.’

On the penultimate day, Platts was pleased to see strong winds blowing in Takapuna Bay.

However, her worlds campaign had been plagued with misfortune and, shortly after the first start, she suffered gear failure as her kicking strap snapped, forcing her to retire from the race.

‘I couldn’t believe it,’ she said.

‘I had a really good start and then the kicker gave way. It was devastating to realise that I had no hope of achieving my goal of a place in the top 10.’

With the help of her coach, Platts managed to rig a temporary fix to the kicker out on the water – no easy feat in the two metre waves – and went on to take 15th place in the second race of the day.

The final positions of the other British girls were: Chloe Martin eighth, Melissa Addy ninth, Hannah Diamond 11th and Grace Twedell 27th.

The British youth male positions were: Martin Evans second overall, James Spencer seventh and Jack Cornthwaite 19th.

Andrew Maloney from New Zealand took the gold medal in the male fleet and Gabrielle King from Australia the title in the female one.