Inaugural IAPS National Sailing Regatta Hailed a Success at The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy
The inaugural Independent Association of Prep Schools’ National Sailing Regatta took place at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) on 13th May 2010. Twenty school crews from across the country travelled to compete in the U11 and U13 age categories over a series of five races on the Games waters of Portland Harbour. Sixty sailors competed in the regatta in a fleet of Laser Picos, provided by the on-site sailing school, SailLaser.
All the young sailors rose to the challenge of the day with the enthusiasm and gusto that embodies the IAPS spirit. The weather was very favourable making the races fun, manageable and competitive for all the juniors yet testing their skills over all points of sailing. Each race lasted half an hour, with three back to back races taking up the morning session and a further two back to back races in the afternoon.
The day was exhilarating for all the racers with the crews significantly improving their fleet racing skills, from starting techniques to making the best of the downwind leg, against the top sailors in the IAPS community. The U11 event was eventually won by a crew from the University College, Junior Branch, London with the U13 winning crew coming from Castle Court school in Dorset.
John Tweed, Chief Executive at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, commented, “At the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy we pride ourselves on being a centre for youth development so to have the IAPS National Sailing Regatta here was fantastic. We look forward to hosting and expanding the scope of this event in future years.”