One of the principal trophies for yacht racing at Lendy Cowes Week Regatta  is to be presented by a 14-year-old newcomer to sailing, thanks to an innovative move by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club.

The Club’s Armitage Challenge cup will go to the winner of Class Zero racing by some of the biggest yachts at the regatta on Saturday, August 4, the opening day of the Cowes regatta, always the scene of some of the most competitive action on the water by international yachtsmen in a quest for honours.

By contrast, newcomer Jake Mitchener, from Romsey, Hampshire has been learning to sail with the Royal Southampton Yacht Club under a special programme through the charitable RSYC Trust to widen opportunities for sailing and focussing on young carers who have taken up the challenge of looking after parents or siblings.

The prizegiving will take place on the lawn of the Royal Yacht Squadron on Saturday, August 4 at 6pm.

The Royal Southampton Yacht Club is one of the nine Solent clubs that run the annual Cowes Week Regatta in partnership and for many years has made a major contribution to the organisation of the event and this year is fielding a larger and stronger team of race officers than ever.

Teenager Jake, a member of Romsey Young Carers. Jake cares for his mother who has had health issues following  surgery, and has thrived learning to sail through the Royal Southampton Yacht Club Trust which is sponsoring him at the RYA On Board club at Southampton Water Activities Centre over the summer.

The RSYC Trust’s aim is to provide opportunities for all to experience sailing. A major focus is on Young Carers and is working closely with Young Carer organisations in Southampton,  and much of Hampshire in the New Forest, Romsey, Eastleigh, Winchester, Gosport, Fareham and Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

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