67th Itchenor Schools Sailing Championships

RS Fevas set to launch during the 67th Itchenor Schools Sailing Championships © RS Sailing

Itchenor Sailing Club hosted the 67th Itchenor Schools Sailing Championships under blue skies with hundreds of sailors taking to the waters of Chichester Harbour. The Schools Sailing Championships cater for all levels of youth sailing and facilitates competitive racing between sailors and schools!

Day one bought steady breeze as the sailors jostled to get their boats into the water first. The racing was extremely tight, with all 100 boats finishing within 20 minutes of the leader. The intense racing took place just off east head spit and Hayling Island as the temperatures hit the mid-twenties.

Day two provided the sailors with more challenging and lighter conditions. A couple of knots of tide meant that the sailors were faced with a game of snakes and ladders racing and meant that places were constantly changings as the fleet headed up the channel towards Emsworth. The race committee did an incredible job of battling the ever-changing wind to get off 3 great races.

The final results saw Ralph Nevile and Tom Stratton-Brown from Eggars Schools pip Tom and Tristan Ahlheid at the post! The Toms will be racing together at the World Championships in only a few weeks time. Third place was won by local sailors, Ben and Tommy Millard from Portsmouth Grammar School. First ladies were Libby and Rosie Thompson from Beaconsfield High School in 13th place. Full results can be found here.

Another great event for the Schools Championships and we look forward to more great racing next year.