Independent Schools Association 2023 National Regatta at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Princethorpe College students at the Independent Schools Association 2023 National Regatta © Princethorpe College

The Independent Schools Association 2023 National Regatta was held at Draycote Water Sailing Club on Thursday the 12th of October.

33 boats and one windsurfer pre-entered to take part in this ISA National Championship. The weather forecast was for light winds from the east going south and fading as the day went on.

The sailing instructions had first warning signal for 9,55am, teams had traveled from far and wide and every team made the first start which was bang on time an achievement in its self.

Main fleet were handicap racing around a trapezoid course, start 1 was away clean and Leo Yates of Reddam House school in the ILCA 6 lead the way chased hard by Edward Whittaker from Bruern Abbey in his Topper, the breeze held at 8 knots and all sailors completed the 45 min race.

The Rookie fleet of to the west of the lake were racing around a similar course with support from Draycote's instructors Ffion and Andy, the rookies were working on a sprint format of lots of short races and were on race 3 very quickly and making the most of the wind.

Race 2 for the main fleet was away clean again and it was much tighter going up the first beat Fevas, Optimists, Teras and Picos we all in contention at the top mark with the ILCA 6 and Toppers.

Holly Norton of Ballard School was having a good race leading the Toppers and William Shaw of Princethorpe was looking quick in his Optimist. The wind started to die and the second lap needed concentration to keep the boats going and spotting the pressure.

Draycote's Race officer Ethan Cheshire was aiming for a 3rd race and a late lunch to make the best of the wind but as the sequence was about to start the wind switched off, change of plan and main fleet sent ashore for lunch.

The Rookie fleet still had wind on the left of the lake from a Northerly direction so they were going to finish race 6 before joining main fleet ashore.

There was a slim chance of wind for the afternoon so after lunch the main fleet launched under D Flag and drifted to the start line close to the club house, 30 minutes passed and AP displayed, boats were rafted, noise carry's across water and the air was full of laughs and fun as we waited. It soon became clear it the wind wasn't coming so it was AP over A and time to pack up.

Prize-giving was on the patio where lone Windsurfer Luke Stevens of Belmont school awarded a sportsmanship trophy. The Rookie fleet after 6 races was won by Imogen Whitfield of Normanhurst school with an impressive four races wins in her Topper. Main fleet was very close and Leo Yates taking the win from William Shaw in the Optimist.

A fantastic day and ISA National Championship will be back at Draycote on the 10th of October 2024.

Big thank you to hosts Draycote Water and event sponsors Bigg Bobble Hats.

Main Fleet Results:

Rookie Fleet Results: