European sailing titles for Alfreton brothers

Harvey Martin (15), of Alfreton, teamed up with current world champion Bobby Hewitt (15) of Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club, to win the Sekonda RS Feva National Championships at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Then at the RS Tera European Championships at Aquavitesse in Bruinisse, Netherlands, the pair stormed to the European title.

Also at Aquavitesse, Harvey’s brother, Roscoe Martin (12), won the RS Tera European title.

At the National Championships, 110 boats took part and Harvey Martin and his crew, Bobby Hewitt, led the fleet after scoring three firsts on the opening day.

Day two racing was delayed due to the wind, and eventually Gold Fleet were started in eight knots and a reasonably consistent direction which ended in a third place for Harvey and Bobby.

On the final day, they opened with a second place before winning the penultimate race to take the title with a race to spare.

Harvey is a member of the Derbyshire Institute of Sport. He is supported by Rooster Sailing, Harken, the Harry Fisher Trust and Derbyshire Sport ICON Funding.

Then at the RS Feva European Championships, where 48 competitors from six nations battled it out for the honours, competition was very tight until new UK Champions Harvey and Hewitt blew everyone away with a stunning last five races to win by a comfortable 18-point margin.

Harvey and Bobby’s ambitions are now set on the RS Feva World title in France next month.

The 2014 RS Tera European Championships saw 74 competitors entered. Roscoe Martin started well, securing top spot after the first day of racing.

The second day saw the breeze average 11 knots with gusts as high as 16 and lulls as low as eight, so was a very testing tactical day. Racing was very close, but overnight Roscoe held on to top spot.

Over day three, there were three more hotly-contested races with the leaders constantly changing.

Once on shore there was much anticipation as to who had won the European title, but it was soon confirmed that Roscoe Martin had done just enough. Roscoe is supported by the Harry Fisher Trust.