A group of Rutland sailors headed to Australia last week to compete in the Youth Match Racing Championships.

The five young sailors, headed up by Ben Tylecote, saw an incredibly successful series of races, which took place in Pittswater.

The group were competing against young sailors from Austria, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland throughout the 29th HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship 2023, and made it through to the final to face Zac West and his team.

 A spokesperson for the event said: "Both West and Tylecote fought hard throughout today's races, winning by the smallest of margins through their respective Semi-Final matches with straight wins against Frewin from NZL and Kemp from Australia to make it to the final."

In the thrilling final, Ben Tylecote, representing Rutland Sailing Club, and his team were up against Zac West from AUS representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

West took the first two wins in a best-of-five finals showdown. Tylecote returned with true determination in a neck-and-neck race to take race three.

Race four was hard fought, but with West two points ahead, the celebrations started early on the water.

Still, Tylecote and his team came home champions in the eyes of their club and the county, having made a name for themselves on international waters - and making waves among the sailing community.

The first place team (AUS), was made up of Zac West, Jameson Prescott, James Hayhoe, Emily Keg and Katina Casimaty.

Congratulations to the 2nd Place team, headed up by Ben Tylecote (GBR): Freya Pembury, Jamie Tylecote, Finian Morris and Terry Hacker.