8 August 2015: International 420 Worlds

Published 14:23 on 8 Aug 2015

Three 420s crewed by Itchenor sailors headed out to Karatsu, Kyushu, Japan for over 2 weeks in mid July as part of the 10 boat GBR team taking part in the 420 worlds. What an amazing venue and cultural insight it was for the sailors.

They sailed in a beautiful bay, surrounded by a 16th century castle and a modern nuclear power station, were greeted by the friendliest locals practising their limited English wherever they went, and at the same time sailed in a challenging championship. The hot, light, fluky winds were difficult to fathom, and the local and Mediterranean teams came to the fore.

Our top GBR girls, Sarah Norbury (South Staffordshire SC) and Mairi Davies (Pwllheli SC), sailed brilliantly and finished 5th/60 in the ladies fleet and our top GBR boys, Max Clapp (Royal Southern YC) and Ross Banham (Bewl Valley SC) 13th/72 in the open fleet. The Itchenor girls were Izzy Davies and Gemma Keers (26th), Katie Davies and Grace Summers (45th) and Jo Kalderon and Midge Watkins (46th). In all, teams from 22 countries competed in 3 fleets (open, ladies and the new U17 fleet).

Last updated 13:43 on 1 August 2022