Pembrokeshire's young sailors helped the county to finish top in the Welsh junior championships on home waters in Tenby this week. With over 100 young sailors taking part in the schools, county and club championships, even a basking shark turned out in Tenby harbour to see what the fuss was about, which caused a brief interruption in the sailing events. Solva's Micky Beckett was the star of the show in one of the hardest fought categories, along with success for brother Stevie and Ngaire Strawbridge as Pembrokeshire picked up the best county award. Ysgol Dewi Sant pupil Micky Beckett, aged 13, had close competition from Tom Piggott, of Shotwick Lake in North Wales, but started well in the first race and was able to maintain that advantage throughout the weekend. The smaller youth fleets were dominated by 16- year-old Stevie Beckett in the Radial class of boat. He won the event, with Neyland's Strawbridge second. Both brothers are in the British and Welsh squads, with the county prize being judged on the results of the top three sailors in a minimum of two events, with the prizes being sponsored by Chevron. Director of sailing for the Welsh Yachting Association, Tim Hall, was impressed with what he saw. "The Beckett brothers showed how spending as much time sailing as they do pays off; pushed by their Welsh rivals, their fitness and boat speed in tough conditions got them to the front in each race," said Hall. "Tenby Harbour provides a superb sailing venue, a squeeze to get in, but it provided great sailing conditions for the competitors to prove their school, club and county the best in Wales. "Many of these sailors will be the next Welsh national and GBR squad members; it is great to see such close racing and an increase in the junior regatta fleet, highlighting that thanks to the Sports Council for Wales our performance development and grass roots are working well in Wales." Best county: Pembrokeshire (Micky Beckett, Stevie Beckett, Ngaire Strawbridge). Best dchool: Ysgol Friars, Bangor (Lewis Roberts, Toby Morsley, Catrin Drake). Best club: Port Dinorwic SC (Lewis Roberts, Toby Moresley, Toby Collinson).
