Busy Times For Laser Sailor James Russ

It’s been a busy few months for local youth Laser sailor James Russ as he’s juggled training, competing AND studying for his GCSE exams! Aqua have sponsored James over the last few sailing seasons and here he tells us in his own words just how busy he’s been…

“I have competed in two main events in the past few months, the Youth Nationals in Pwhelli and the Nationals in Weymouth, whilst also fitting in time for revision for my GCSE’s.”

“The Youth Nationals were defiantly an event to remember as we had every type of condition possible throughout the week, from no wind to gale force and the wind came from all sorts of directions! Nevertheless I made it through the week, finishing 22nd out of around 60 in the radial boys class, my best results being two 11ths. A long journey home concluded my last large event before my GCSE examinations.”

“After all of the exams were over I was looking forward to the Nationals in Weymouth, a short journey there and a long week awaited me. Weymouth was one of the most consistent events I have ever been too; with a good sea breeze filling in every day from the south west. With these high and consistent winds it was survival of the fittest! I had another good mid fleet result finishing up 24th out of 65 radials with some good consistent results, excluding my two black flags!! Not my best week for starting I must say!”

“After a long summer of sailing and relaxing my results came in and it’s fair to say I was over the moon! The hard work and balance of studying and sailing was just right and I got the results I needed (and more) to do everything I want to do at college.”

“Now coming up to the end of September college is in full swing and I have an action packed October containing training, racing and, of course, more studying!”

James is now studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Psychology at Bay House Sixth Form in Gosport and everyone at Aqua wishes him all the best with his studying and sailing over the coming months…