Oakham sails to success

Published by Oakham School on Monday 23rd of September 2013

Sailors from Oakham School are riding on the crest of a wave after sailing to success in both local and world championships.

Students excelled at the Feva World Sailing Championships held in Grosseto, Italy, as well as taking the top prizes at the inaugural Rutland Youth & Junior Championships held at Rutland Water.

At the World Championships, Sam Barson and Alex Frost sailed exceptionally well to win one of their 14 races and finished 28th overall. Gregory Sale and Lottie Neve finished an impressive 3rd overall in the Bronze fleet, after an initial qualification series where the 180 boats were divided into three fleets (Bronze, Silver and Gold).

Closer to home, at Rutland Water, members of Oakham's sailing squad took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the Youth Championships, and 1st (under 15) in the Junior Championship. 'This really is an exceptional performance,' says Head of Sailing Nick Neve. 'For Oakham to take the lead positions in this Championship is testament to the standard of sailing coaching offered at the school, and Rutland Sailing Club, along with the incredible hard work put in by the pupils.'

There were a total of 50 different entries at the Championship, all split into 'fast' and 'regatta' fleets. Sailors from Oakham not only took the top prizes in 'fast' fleets, but also fared exceptionally well in the 'regatta' fleet (targeted at younger sailors and smaller boats). 13 year-old Charles Robinson was the 1st (under 15) in this fleet.

Will Robinson won the fast fleet in his Laser, to become Rutland Youth Champion. His team mates Justin Busuttil & Rupert Molyneux placed second in their Firefly and Sam Barson & Lottie Garton took third place, also in their Firefly. Oakham's Captain of Sailing, Mary Henderson and her team mate Megan Nagel had been forced to retire from this category, through no fault of their own, with a hole in the bow of their boat after being 'T-boned' on the start line.

Harry Martin & Matt Peckham won the Rutland Junior Championships (under 15) and Lily Streatfeild & Lottie Neve placed as 1st Feva.




For more information, please contact Louise Hitchen, Press Officer, Oakham School, press@oakham.rutland.sch.uk , 07736176973