Year 5 pupils, Ed and Leo, were excited to represent Prince’s Mead at the IAPS sailing regatta this week, having both had their first dinghy sailing experience with Prince’s Mead Sailing Club. They had several weeks of training for the regatta which included sailing on the Thames and in exciting 20-knot winds at the National Sailing Academy (and Olympic 2012 venue) in Weymouth. This was their first taste of regatta sailing and the training gave them new skills in racing starts and race tactics.
The under 11 category had the largest entry figures of recent years. A record 36 boats entered, of which 34 started on the day. The regatta took place on 21st May at the National Sailing Academy, and sadly the weather was not conducive to a good day’s sailing. As well as being grey and miserable, there was hardly any wind.
Prince’s Mead scored a proud 28th place in the first race and were pleased to finish ahead of local rivals. Unfortunately, the wind got even weaker, and along with more than a quarter of the field, they were unable to cross the start line in the required time to start the second race. The regatta and final two races of the day were then abandoned due to poor wind conditions.
A real highlight of the race day was a visit to the Princes Mead boat by a pair of dolphins!
Thanks to Mr Arkley for his support in entering the regatta and training day and Mrs Emma Bowyer for being a champion of sailing at Prince’s Mead in the last 3 years.
The boys are hoping to put their new racing skills to good use in the Autumn regatta and in the IAPS regatta next year.