Welsh sailors excel at RYA Youth National sailing championships
26 Apr 20253 minute read
Steffan Williams came second in the final medal race in the ICLA
Steffan Williams, a 16-year-old from New Quay and member of New Quay Yacht Club, has excelled in the men’s ILCA 6 class, finishing 5th overall and as top Welsh sailor at the competition organised by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
Over 200 youth sailors gathered at Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre in Pwllheli to take part in a 5-day sailing competition from 12 – 18 April 2025.
Past winners have included Sir Ben Ainslie, renowned British sailor celebrated as the most successful Olympic sailor in history with four gold medals and one silver, and present-day Welsh athlete Mickey Beckett who represented GB at the Paris Olympics last year.
Prestigious
Special guest, HRH Princess Anne attended the competition, the prestigious RYA Youth National Championships often called the ‘highlight of the youth racing calendar’, on Tuesday 15th April. The event offers a chance for the country’s most promising young racers to go head-to-head in a week of competitive action.
The results determine the British Youth Sailing Team, representing Great Britain in international regattas such as the Youth World Championships, and form the domestic youth squad for the upcoming year.
Historically, the Youth Nationals is contested in British Youth Sailing’s Recognised Classes, including the ILCA 6 and 7, 420, 29er, and Nacra 15. However, it now includes the foiling classes and this year the youth iQFOiL class attended.
Fierce
Competition was fierce between the ILCAs with two sailors from Ysgol Bro Teifi vying for top positions.
Steffan Williams also came 2nd in the final medal race on Friday. He said: “It was an amazing competition and a great week of sailing. The conditions suited me with strong winds and tough sea conditions. I’m very happy with how the week went, finishing on a high that I can now build on for this summer’s events.
“I want to thank all the volunteers and RYA who made the competition what it was, the other competitors and all the support from RYA Cymru Wales. It was great to mix with the other classes and get to know people from all over the UK and further afield.
Bronwen Thomas, 18, from Rhydlewis, finished 6th in the women’s ILCA 6 class. She said: “It was a great week and a great competition. The conditions were challenging, but it pushed me to improve and learn. Not the result I wanted but it’s always a great learning experience and time on the water.
“Getting to meet people who share the same passion and have some friendly competition on the way is great.”
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