IAPS National Sailing Regatta at the WPNSA
by Mark McCloskey 23 May 2012 08:00 BST
17-18 May 2012
In partnership with Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and SailLaser Weymouth
The third edition of The IAPS National Sailing Regatta took place at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) during the 17th and 18th May 2012. The Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) has continued to work closely with event partners SailLaser Weymouth and WPNSA to develop this nationwide schools regatta into a recognisable and prestigious event in the UK’s youth sailing calendar.
This year’s event entry grew again to 168 sailors representing 48 prep schools from across the country with Leweston Prep being named as the regatta’s official host school. During both days the racing was highly competitive yet the invaluable experience of sailing on the Olympic waters was one of the greatest prizes for the young sailors. SailLaser Weymouth, the onsite sailing school located at WPNSA, provided an extensive and impressive fleet of race ready Laser Picos for the visiting school children to step straight into and compete on each day.
Weather conditions were challenging on the Under 11s race day. After two exciting full fleet races in the morning in breezy south easterly winds the young sailors came to shore for a well deserved lunch and a warm up in the distinctly unseasonal May weather. Last year’s second placed crew of brother and sister pairing, Henry and Elizabeth Beardsall had gone one better this time round moving into a provisional first place overall with a first and second place finishes in the morning races.
IAPS Watersports Co-ordinator and Leweston Prep teacher, Mark McCloskey said afterwards, “It was lovely to see all the young sailors up for the challenge of competing despite the heavy weather conditions that faced them. Our Leweston Prep pairing of Poppy Boyden and Portia Manson performed brilliantly to improve on the school’s final standings of last year by managing to achieve a place in the Gold Fleet”.
The wind speed continued to rise in the afternoon so following an aborted attempt to start the first of the U11 Gold and Silver fleet races the decision was made to abandon racing for the day. The U11 sailors still took home special memories of their racing experiences in Portland Harbour.
The weather conditions for the following day’s Under 13 racing were much more favourable providing the older sailors with a super day’s competition. Again, the large fleet of 44 boats completed two exhilarating morning races then split into Gold and Silver fleets for the afternoon racing on separate courses. The brothers from Tower House School, Ossian and Yann Bracegirdle finished the day having claimed first position in all of their races, beating last year’s winning crew from University College into the bargain. This achievement was even more impressive as the younger brother, Ossian, is only 9 years old competing above his years in the U13 age group.
SailLaser Centre Manager, Warren Surtees said, “Having provided pre-regatta race training for many of the young sailors, it was pleasing to see them put their training into practise within these large fleet races. The Laser Picos were easily able to cope with the demands of racing on this scale and look set to become an established race class in the very near future as their reputation spreads among the schools and sailing clubs.”
The regatta race management was officially handled by WPNSA staff this year with RYA regional judges on hand to resolve any protests should they arise. Luckily these were few and far between with a pleasing air of fair play and positive attitudes on display from the vast majority of the young sailors throughout each day of racing. WPNSA Chief executive, John Tweed and Skandia Team GBR Women’s Match Racing Sailor, Kate McGregor were on hand to present the trophies and medals to Gold and Silver fleet winning crews on each day. IAPS look forward to working with SailLaser and WPNSA again to further expand the scope and status of this event for next year.
Overall Results:
U13 Gold Fleet
1st Ossian Bracegirdle & Yann Bracegirdle (Tower House School)
2nd Oscar Wright & Charles Handley (Hoe Bridge School)
3rd Anthony Stanley & William Downes (Sandroyd School)
U13 Silver Fleet
1st Harry Tucker & Simon Walton (Ardingly College Prep School)
2nd Lucas Sopher & Timmy Mayer (Beaudesert Park School)
3rd Robin Stallard & William Doherty (Taunton Prep School)
U11 Overall Results
1st Henry Beardsall & Elizabeth Beardsall (West Hill Park School)
2nd Ben Hutton-Penman & Toby Warren (New Hall Prep School)
3rd Eleanor Sproul & Nick Walters (West Hill Park School)
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