National Powerboat Finals spot for Oakham School pupil

An Oakham School powerboater will aim to land his first national crown after winning his fourth Midlands' Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship Area title on Saturday (1 July).

George Baxter, 14, clinched a hat-trick of East Midlands titles in the 8-12 years age group to qualify for three consecutive national finals from 2013 to 2015, just missing out on the podium in finishing fourth on his last grand final outing two years ago.

Now George has picked up where he left off, despite having moved into the older 13-16 years category, to go head-to-head with the 12 other UK Area age group finalists at the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship grand final at the Yachtmarket.com Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 17 September.

In clocking a winning time of 1:12:53 at Saturday's Area final, hosted by Staunton Harold Sailing Club in Derbyshire, Goerge also posted the fastest 13-16 years' time from the six Area finals that have taken place so far.

Now in its 16th year, the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship is Britain's leading programme introducing kids to powerboats and training them to be safe, proficient drivers and excellent boat handlers. RIBs are light, manoeuvrable craft and the boats driven in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship can hit speeds of up to 35mph.

With the emphasis on swift, efficient and safe manoeuvring, Honda RYA Youth RIB events see drivers compete in time trials around sets of marks with the fastest time over two rounds winning. Each competitor has to master a slalom, a stop exercise and a 360° reverse around a buoy manoeuvre, followed by a sprint to the finish.

George sails and is trained in powerboat driving at Girton SC, near Newark. He actually returned to Southampton last year to represent his club in the perpetual Champion of Clubs trophy – an annual head-to-head showdown against the new champion – after his Girton club mate, Max Mawer, had won the 2015 national title.

George said: "I started driving powerboats at the age of eight and I love it because it is faster than sailing. I am really excited to qualify for the national final again as I wanted to get another t-shirt!"

In fair weather with a consistent light breeze in Derbyshire, Rutland SC's Alex Middleton took second spot with Jonathan Reilly from Burton SC in third.

Steve Hawksworth, the instructor in the boat with the young drivers, said: "All of the competitors did really well. They displayed a very good standard of boat handling and should all be very proud of their performances. Everyone had a lot of fun."

Andrew Norton, Powerboat Projects Manager and Event Director, added: "The speed and precision in which these youngsters get around what is pretty testing course is quite phenomenal."

Sponsored by Honda and Highfield, the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship sees the overall national champion in each age group win a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine or a Highfield 460 RIB with a Honda BF50 engine for their club.

Steve Morris, Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK), added: "We're pleased to continue our long and successful partnership with the RYA, supporting the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship in its 16th year. Honda and our boat partner, Highfield, are delighted to support the RYA in its endeavours to motivate and encourage young people to develop driving skills and to promote safe and responsible racing through this unique and exciting event."

For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib

Source: Royal Yachting Association