YOUNG sailors from Inverclyde’s Craigmarloch School took part in a River Clyde race from Greenock to Glasgow yesterday.

The 17-mile trip was started at James Watt Dock by Provost Robert Moran, and featured 13 small sailing boats heading up to the Science Centre.

The event was entitled ‘Race2 the Games’ and was part of the build up towards the Commonwealth Games, which open in Glasgow on 23 July.

All of the competitors were from special needs schools or organisations, and were trained at Scotland’s first centre of excellence for disability sailing at the Castle Semple Centre, Lochwinnoch.

Each of the specially adapted dinghies had one pupil and one teacher on board. They were accompanied all the way by 10 support boats and the harbourmaster’s vessel.

The Craigmarloch sailors were 14-year-old pupils Brandon Mitchell and Keiron Barker, and teachers Barry Dyer and Karen Clark.

Brandon, from Gourock, sailed with Barry to Braehead, where they changed places with Keiron of Greenock and Karen.

Brandon’s mum, Heather Mitchell, said the sail training was helping him cope with autism and making a big difference.

Heather said: “It’s helping to bring him out of his shell.” The sailors were piped off by local MSP Stuart McMillan, who is chair of the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party group on recreational boating and marine tourism.

Mr McMillan said: “We were made aware of the event and I offered my services as a piper.

“I’m very impressed by the level of commitment of everyone involved.” Also at the send-off was Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil, who chairs Holyrood’s health and sport committee.

He said: “This is a great event.

“It shows how inclusive the Commonwealth Games can be — everyone can get involved, not just elite athletes.” Angie Malone, Winter Paralympic bronze medalist in curling at Sochi 2014, presented medals to all the competitors at the finish, where they heard an inspiring presentation from Royal Gourock Yacht Club member Gerry Hughes, the first deaf yachtsman to solo circumnavigate the world.

David Gatherer of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, who arranged the race, said: “The race and the legacy it will create in the form of annual regattas and continued training will go a long way.”