Gibraltar’s best young RIB drivers, Jordan Warwick, 10, and Dylan Mauro, 13, will be travelling to the PSP Southampton Boat Show in two weeks time (September 13) to compete against the UK’s top RIB driving talent in the final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship. The youngsters proved their skills and won their places at the national final when they claimed victory in 8-12 and 13-16 age group classes of the Gibraltar overseas final held at the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club (RGYC) this weekend (31 August).

Conditions were good for RIB driving, fine weather and calm seas, however, the atmosphere on the time trial race course was anything but calm with competitors from three different clubs, RGYC, 1st/4th Gibraltar Scouts and the Gibraltar Sea Scouts each keen to blow each other out of the water and secure a place at the final.

Racing in two classes, the 8-12’s and 13-16’s, each competitor had two chances to post the quickest time round the course being careful not pick up any time penalties on their way round.

Jordan was the only competitor in her class however, this didn’t curtail her excitement of going to the finals, she commented, “I’m really excited about going to the PSP Southampton Boat Show and race alongside the best in the UK. I wish some of my friends had taken part and given me a bit more competition this weekend however I’m sure I would have beaten them though!”

Racing in the 13-16 age group for the first time having won the 8-12 competition last year, Dylan found himself up against some very stiff competition from last year’s winners Andrew Dunham and Paul Penalver. As the only person not to post any time penalties at the event, Dylan pulled off two perfect laps asserting himself as a strong contender for the win. Paul and Adam tussled between themselves eventually posting times just 2 seconds apart from each other but substantially behind Dylans winning time of 1:27:93. He comments: “I really wasn’t expecting to do so well with this being my first event competing in the older age group. I’m pretty surprised I have to say but really happy to be going to the finals?. again!”

Jordan and Dylan will be racing to win a brand new 4.8m Ribcraft RIB powerboat with a 50hp Honda four stroke engine on an Indespension trailer, equipped with an Icom IC-M505 VHF radio for their club, RGYC.

For more information about the RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit www.rya.org.uk