Pitsford Pirates team of young windsurfers confirmed their place in the national Team15 Champions Cup grand final for the fourth year running with an emphatic display at Draycote Water on Saturday (28 September).

Pirates sailors won all four classes to make sure they once again lifted the Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge title in the final regional event of this summer.  

Daisy McAllister won five and was second in the other of her six races in the 3.5m2 fleet as she made sure she went through the 2013 Team15 season unbeaten. 

Meanwhile, Andrew King (4.5m2), Oliver Smith (5.8m2) and Joe Patrick (6.8m2) all had a three race clean sweeps to take victory in each of their respective classes.

The event victory means the Pirates will definitely again represent the Midlands in a head-to- head against the eight other Team15 regional winners at the Champions Cup, taking place at Pitsford Reservoir over the weekend of 12-13 October.

It was also a big day for Pershore-based Aztec Watersports as they competed in their first ever Team15 event, bringing two new sailors, William Woof (13) and Sam Barstow (13),  both from Droitwich to take part. 

No fewer than 18 youngsters have regularly attended Pitsford Pirates Team15 sessions this summer, with a further four newcomers recruited following RYA Youth Windsurfing courses run in the holidays by Northampton Watersports Centre.

Team15 is the RYA’s youth windsurfing development programme making windsurfing more accessible and appealing to kids aged 15 and under at grassroots level. 

It caters for all levels of windsurfers, from absolute beginners to those youngsters who have been doing the sport for a few years and are looking to take the next steps in competing more seriously. 

The annual regional Inter-Club Challenge Series adds a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills. There are more than 80 Team15 clubs nationwide.

 Fun and informal Team15 sessions are held weekly, kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

More information about Team15 can be found at www.rya.org.uk/programmes/team15 or contact 0845 345 0400.