Young members of Exe Sailing Club (ESC) have again achieved spectacular successes at national and international level.  

Over recent months, ESC members have been part of winning crews in the Youth National Championships, the Inland Championships and finished second in the European Super Series Closing event in Barcelona in the Nacra 15 class. This class of racing boat is designed as a gateway for young sailors aiming for Olympic competition. 

The Weston Catamaran Open event in September saw ESC member Sophie Raven joining Sam Cox of Restronguet Sailing Club in competition for the first time. Sophie has been sailing in the Nacra 15 class since 2020 but this was her first season with Sam. The new pair won their class, ahead of the current Youth National Champions with three race wins to the more experienced team's two. 

The following month saw Sophie and Sam joined by the new pairing of Exe Sailing Club’s Amelie Andrew and Tom Jones of Restronguet Sailing Club. Both crews competed in the Nacra 15 National Championships at Brightlingsea with Sophie and Sam taking five out of six race wins to become national champions. 

The next major Nacra 15 event saw even more young members of Exe Sailing Club joining the fleet. Angus Bailey and Anna Cox crewed one boat, while Charlotte Cox teamed up with Marcus King of Warsash Sailing Club, making four crews in total with Exmouth representation. All four crews competed at the Nacra 15 Inland Championships at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. 

Sam and Sophie took the overall win with six race victories. Anna and Angus were 4th, Tom and Amelie 5th with Marcus and Charlotte 6th. 

By the time of a residential training camp for the National Youth Performance squad yet another Exe SC sailor had joined the fleet. Morgan Turner was sailing with Finn Caddy from Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club. 

Of the eight active boats in the national squad now, there are six sailors from ESC, while the total of Exe estuary sailors is increased by the addition of Izzy and Eloise Smith from Starcross Yacht Club. 

The final event of the Nacra 15 sailing season took place in November when the European Super Series Closing event was held in Barcelona. Sam Cox and Sophie Raven were the only UK entry. They made their mark by coming second out of 18 entries. They were beaten only by the Swiss boat, which came fourth at the World Championships in Lake Garda in August. Sam and Sophie were ahead of the Italian and Belgian teams who finished 12th and 14th at the Nacra 15 World championships. 

Commenting on the successes of young ESC sailors, Commodore of the club, Nikki Acred said: “Exe Sailing Club has produced an astonishing number of sailors who have achieved national and international honours. We’re all delighted that this next generation of members are continuing the tradition.”