Royal Air Force Yacht Club

23 year old newcomer and first time skipper, Maddie Fenner helms GALLANT, to second place in the challenging overnight race of the Sigma 38 National Championships this May Bank holiday. Both GALLANT and the eventual outright Nationals winner WITH ALACRITY  share a club  berth on H pontoon alongside another Sigma 38, DRAGONFLY.

 Maddie, whose parents Paul & Rosemary Fenner only joined the club this year, spent a nail biting night ashore as the young crew of 8 left the start line at Gilkicker, crossed over to Ryde and then out through the forts to Nab End, before beating to West Princessa in 18 to 20 knots, leaving the island to starboard, rounding the Needles Fairway at dawn, then out to St Albans and finally back to Poole Bar Buoy for a close finish. Maddie's crew included 3 students from Solent Southampton University taking part in their first ever offshore sail. Tired but happy, the students, all keen dinghy sailors, described the big boat experience as "brilliant"