Lake District sailor comes second for Great Britain in a world sailing championship
A sailor from the Lake District has just come second for Great Britain in a world sailing championship held in Australia this month.
The event was held in Sydney Harbour at Woollahra sailing club in front of the picturesque scene of the Opera House and Sydney harbour bridge.
23-year-old Robert Richardson, from Bowness, a member of the Royal Windermere Yacht Club was crowned youth world champion in the ACO 2025 Musto Skiff World Championship.
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The ACO Musto Skiff World Championship is an annual international sailing regatta for Musto Skiff boats.
The event is organized by the host club Woollahra Sailing Club and recognized by World Sailing.
Robert won the opening event which was the pre-world championship and Australian Nationals from Eddie Briddle GBR and Andy Tarboton RSA (South Africa).
First Australian, and now national champion, was Matthias Houvenagel in fourth.
Robert Richardson on the Musto Skiff World Championships were held in Australia this month (Image: Alex Dare - Down Under Sail”) The championship was planned to be held over five days but day three was not sailed due to high winds and a rough sea state.
Going into the last day, three sailors could win.
Robert was two points behind joint leaders Andy Tarbotom (RSA) and Jon Newman (AUS).
After the final two races, Andy had a clear five point lead to take the championship with Robert and Jon tied on points behind.
Robert took second by winning four races in the series - if only he had not been disqualified from race 5.
After learning to sail at the Royal Windermere Yacht Club, Robert has enjoyed considerable success in sailing events.
This is the third time he has been world youth champion in the Musto Skiff as well as GP14 world and National youth Champion.
Sailing in events in Germany, Italy, Ireland, United Kingdom and now Australia.
Robert Richardson in Sydney harbour (Image: Alex Dare - Down Under Sail) Robert said: "It was pretty cool to travel to Sydney and compete in such a fantastic setting.
"During the first half of the week it was very hot and then conditions changed towards the second half with an unseasonably low pressure system bringing with it lots of rain and strong southernly winds.
"It was good in a sense however to sail in a range of conditions but was definitely a challenge at times.
"I was very pleased with how I did and I'd say to anyone who is thinking of competing in any sailing events - just get out there and do it.
"I'm just a local lad who learned to sail on Windermere, following the course of my grandad who also learned at Royal Windermere Yacht Club, and I had no idea it would take me this far."
