Team Redesmere... North West Junior Youth Travellers NWJYT Series 2026

Published 10:57am on 23 Oct 2026

This year's NWJYT Series consisted of 9 events across the North West, at Delph, West Lancs Yacht Club, Ullswater, Bassenthwaite, Ullswater Yacht Club, Redesmere, Budworth, Hollingworth Lake, and Leigh and Lowton.

The series saw varying conditions but the last event saw 50 entries take to the water, in very challenging conditions. At one point there were only 10 boats upright. 18 boats finished and it took safety crew an hour to recover all the other boats. After the first race, the competitors had an early lunch while the Race Officer had time to decide whether to go out again or not. The Race Officer called the early finish!

Being part of Team Redesmere has been a real privilege. This year has been particularly challenging for us especially. The boat was on the roof of the car, car full of sailing kit and camping kit ready for our trip to Ullswater. When setting off at 7am, the car didn't start. The car needs a new engine and was towed away for scrap. This left us with a bit of a challenge to get Isabelle and her boat to Bassenthwaite the following weekend. But thank you to the amazing Team! Rob and Steve Allison had already hatched a plan while at Ullswater to get Isabelle's boat to Bassenthwaite the following weekend. I just needed a lift!

At Bassenthwaite, Isabelle boat was damaged and was taking on water! We have been unsuccessful at stopping the leak and were unable to change boats during the series. The Redesmere event was not a problem, other than the lack of boat, but thanks to Jemima and Julia who lent Isabelle their Topper to complete the rest of the series. In order to qualify she had to compete in the last two events, but how were we going to get there? I couldn't ask Steve as he was not only taking Teddy, but he was also taking Lily to her first traveller event! I couldn't ask Rob as he was taking Sophie's boat.

The night before the Redesmere event I broke my foot which added to our logistical challenges as I am unable to drive. How are we going to get to the last two events? Thank you to my parents Fran and Maurice who let me buy a roof rack for their car. Mum drove the boat and Isabelle to Budworth. The following week, we loaded up the boat and Mum took us to Leigh and Lowton, our final event of 2026!

It really has been a huge Team effort. I am very grateful to the whole Team for pulling together and getting everyone there to the events. It always amazes me the commitment the parents put in to travelling on the circuit. But it is great, we have met some lovely people from other clubs, the kids get to sail at some amazing places and make some really good friends.

Last but not least, well done to Lily, Teddy, Jemima, Sophie and Isabelle and incredible effort, they all deserve medals for perseverance, resilience and determination.

The overall results,

1^st Jemima Woodcock double hander crew, 8^th overall

1^st U16 girl Sophie Wilbraham, 9^th overall

2^nd U16 girl Isabelle Ward, 10^th overall

1^st U11 Teddy Allison, 13^th overall

Rachel

Training Officer