Sunninghill Prep pupils have again won a podium position at the Independent Association of Prep Schools Regatta held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy last week.
Competing in the under 13 category, pupils had their sailing skills tested in challenging light wind conditions. Over 100 children from all over England took to the water in teams of two and embarked on a gruelling set of races.
Competitors completed 4 races and spent over 4 hours on the water. The teams from Sunninghill even had their lunch while still in their boats! At the end of the 4th race, the Sunninghill team of Erin and Gabriel found that their efforts on the water had seen them achieve a 3rd place finish and a place on the podium. When all the points were added up, Sunninghill Prep claimed 2nd position overall.
Ian Stazicker, Deputy Head at Sunninghill said, ‘What a talented group of sailors we have at the school. Everyone who took to the water showed remarkable skill and endurance to achieve these wonderful results. Every pupil in our team should be really proud of themselves’.
Gabriel said, ‘The competition was a lot of fun but it was hard work too. We were out on the water for a long time and the wind wasn’t very strong so we had to really think what we were doing. We were really pleased to win the bronze medal.’
John Thorpe, Headmaster at Sunninghill said, ‘This is another fantastic performance by our Sunninghill sailors! Sailing is actually an important part of life at Sunninghill. Our pupils start sailing in Form 3 and sailing soon becomes part of their curriculum when pupils go on to complete a 6-week sailing course. As pupils progress through the school they have the option to continue with sailing at the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre or windsurfing with the Official Test Centre (OTC). It’s fantastic to see our team succeed on the national stage’
