Dorset Schools Regatta at SailLaser Weymouth
by Katie Ashworth, LaserPerformance 20 Jul 2009 11:02 BST
17 July 2009
Action from the Dorset schools regatta in Weymouth © SailLaser
The Dorset schools regatta, sponsored by The Chesil Trust and SailLaser, saw 52 students from 7 different schools competing for the medals and overall trophy at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
The morning started with a race briefing, in the sunshine and gentle winds, recapping, which flags were used in the starting sequence, as well as timings and the rules!!
Each pair, rigged up their boat, and took to the water in preparation for the first race.
In the morning, 3 races were completed, before heading back to shore for lunch. All 3 races were held in gentle winds and sunshine, and there was some lovely sailing from all involved.
Over lunch, the sea breeze started to build, so as we launched, the breeze was increasing steadily. After an eventful trip to the start line, with a fair few capsizes from both groups, all of the year 7 and 8 boats reefed down, while the older group kept their full sails and jibs!
The afternoon saw two races, with several capsizes from both fleets, as well as a few DNF positions recorded!
By the end of the afternoon, over 50 tired youngsters returned to shore, to answer questions from the teachers about how they had done!
Whilst the students were getting changed, the results were counted and the winners discovered!
A prize giving was attended by John Tweed, Chief Executive of The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Nichola Lane of The Chesil Trust, and Sarah Dempsy and Bryony Shaw, Medal Winners in Beijing 2008.
The Dorset Schools Regatta was organised and run by Emma Dawson of SailLaser.
Every participant in the regatta was awarded a t-shirt, and there were gold, silver and bronze medals for each of the winning pairs in each category.
Overall Results:
Years 7-8 age group
1st Sam Mottershead and Cory Ronayne of Budmouth School
2nd Isabel Mullen and Phillippa Gatehouse of Colfox School
3rd Rex Fisher and Oscar Smoker of Beaminster School
Years 9-11 age group
1st Nicola Williams and Aneesa Sagman of Woodroffe School
2nd Todd Neale and Jesse Jeune of The Sir John Colfox School
3rd Tom Clarke and Henry Wandsworth of Woodroffe School
The overall winning school was also awarded the Ludlow Cup, which they will have their name engraved on, and will hopefully come back to defend their title next year!
School finishing positions:
1st Beaminster School
2nd Woodroffe School
3rd The Sir John Colfox School
4th All Saints School
5th The Thomas Hardye School
6th Budmouth School
7th The Wey Valley School
For further information, please contact SailLaser on 0845 337 3214.