The Guernsey owned Melges 24, Wicked Feet, shortly after the start of this year’s Kleinwort Benson Challenge. (Picture by Coast Media, 0600591)

A GROUP of young Guernsey sailors is off soon to the Volvo Musto International British and Open Optimist Championships. Held at Pwllheli, North Wales, from next Saturday to the following Friday, a total of 13 young Sarnians are making the trip over.

The competition is the biggest event in the Optimist UK calendar. ‘We’re hoping for some good results and we’re all very excited,’ said Guernsey’s Optimist flotilla leader, Peter Sidebottom.

The squad started its training programme in the winter and has continued ever since. A couple of weeks ago a clinic was organised for the sailors in Guernsey.

Local Island Games competitor and successful Optimist sailor Clare Chapple helped coach the squad along with some top UK Optimist sailors. ‘They’ve been training hard,’ said Sidebottom.