LOCAL sailors Gruffydd Green and George Sellwood have recently achieved national success placed as 3rd British Junior boat in the 29er National Championships and Eurocup which took place at the Welsh National Sailing Academy, Pwllheli.

Gruff (of Ysgol Preseli) and George (Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi) have been sailing together in the 29er for just over a year, having graduated from Toppers in 2018. Gruff was a member of the Welsh National Topper Squad while George had a place in the South Wales Regional Topper Squad. The boys learnt to sail together at Teifi Boating Club, and continue to sail both there and at Tresaith Mariners when they are not travelling!

Since joining forces in the 29er, the boys have travelled all over England and Wales training and racing. This has involved significant commitment, balancing Year 10 schoolwork and GCSE preparation with fitness as well as time on the water. The hard work has paid off. The 29er is a notoriously difficult boat to master, being the ‘pathway boat’ to the Olympic 49er/49er FX boat. Gruff and George are some of the youngest sailing in the class. The boys have also had to adjust to sailing together in a double hander after Toppers which are single-handed.

Their commitment has paid off – overall their results have steadily improved throughout the year. In addition to their achievement in the 29er Nationals in Pwllheli, the boys completed the GP race series (involving 6 weekends of racing as far afield as Hayling Island in Hampshire and Largs in Scotland) in 30th position out of a fleet of around 50. They are currently sitting at 26 in the National rankings, and the 6th ‘junior’ boat.

The new season starts with a training weekend in Weymouth at the end of August and the first of the new GP series the first weekend in September. They are hoping to be selected for the Welsh 29er Squad.

Gruff and George would particularly like to thank local businesses Swallow Yachts, Priory Vets and GrowitMowit for their support this year. If any other local businesses would like to find out about sponsoring the boys for the next season, please email greensellwoodracing@gmail.com