JUNIOR members of Ullswater Yacht Club are celebrating after succeeding at a national event.

They were representing Cumbria in the National Schools Sailing Association Championship for single-handed team racers, hosted at the Hunts Sailing Club in Cambridgeshire.

Teenagers Megan Thornley, Isabel Abbatt and Holly Monk, all members of UYC, were crowned the first all-girl team, finishing tenth overall out of 32 entries and winning six of the nine races they sailed.

Megan,16, lives in Hincaster, near Kendal, and goes to Sixth Form at Lancaster Girls' Grammar School.

Holly, also 16, lives in Windermere and Isabel Abbatt is 14, from Sedbergh, attends Queen Elizabeth School at Kirkby Lonsdale.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The event was sailed in Toppers provided by the organising club to ensure an even playing field, with three boats to a team.

Run to a strict format, team racing places the emphasis on sailing tactically rather than just fast.

The girls are already planning to compete again next year and see if they can do better, and are on the lookout for a fourth team member so they can compete in the double-handed event next March.

UYC Commodore Peter Lewis said: “The girls have done the club and Cumbria proud. They are great ambassadors for our sport.”

Ullswater Yacht Club welcomes new members, both experienced and novices, of all ages and offers sailing courses through the Ullswater Sailing School. For more details visit ullswateryachtclub.org or contact 01768 486333.

Pictures by Nigel Vick for the NSSA: 065 – Action from the racing, Holly Monk, left and Megan Thornley, right 083 – Action from the racing, Megan Thornley 119 – Action from the racing – Isabel Abbatt Picture by Nicola Abbatt. Cumbria team – Proud of their Cumbria hoodies, the girls from UYC.