A SUNNY Friday night saw the official launching ceremony for the six new RS Tera sailing dinghies, awarded to Starcross Yacht Club’s junior section by the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST).

Robin Charles and Basil Strickland used bottles of Fanta to replicate the traditional breaking of champagne bottles over a ship’s bow at the launching ceremony.

These brand new sailing dinghies, designed for children and youth sailors, were awarded to the club by JMST to help further develop junior sailing and racing, and retain developing sailors in the sport.

Starcross has a thriving junior section, with around 50 young sailors attending the Friday night training and race training sessions, which this year started in early April and will run through the summer.

The club has a number of open events for juniors this summer, and is welcoming visitors. There is an RS Tera and Topper Open Meeting on Friday, June 10, and the legendary Starcross Junior Regatta running from August 18 to 21.