It’s been a busy summer of sailing for several pupils at Windermere School, and one to remember for Felix Stewart and Jake Harris, in particular, who have returned to school as
RS Feva European Junior Champions.
The RS Feva European Championships were held recently at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, alongside the RS Aero and RS Tera World Championships. The RS Feva competition saw 114 boats from ten different countries vying for a number of prizes, including top boats in silver and gold fleet, top juniors, top girls and top mixed. The weather was excellent throughout the competition, with conditions varying from light to moderate. This meant that the sailors were tested to the full, but were never required to find ‘survival mode’.
Felix and Jake were competitive throughout, holding their own against the other junior teams in the competition, and on the final day raced hard to ensure they were crowned European Champions.
Other notable achievements at the RS Feva European Championships saw Windermere School’s Teddy Ferguson finish in eight place overall (crewing alongside his racing partner, Robbie McDonald), followed closely by fellow pupil, Theo Stewart, who was crewing alongside Tom Burke, from Coniston Sailing Club.
The RS Tera World Championships also proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Windermere School students taking part. Over the course of four days, the sailors experienced a range of racing conditions, with plenty of sun and sea breeze, and wind speeds ranging from six to sixteen knots. Theo Stewart raced well and only narrowly missed out on a podium position, finishing fourth overall in the Pro Fleet, while James Johnson also had a great competition, finishing in seventh place.
Theo Stewart, and his brother Felix, also enjoyed success at the RS Tera Swedish Nationals, which took place at Ljungskile Sailing Club. Felix finished third in the Sport Fleet, while Theo took the title in the Pro Fleet.
There was similar success for James and Tom Johnson, who travelled to Dalgety Bay Sailing Club to take part in the RS Tera Scottish National Championships. Located on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, Dalgety Bay Sailing Club provided some truly exciting racing, with the final positions in the Pro Fleet not confirmed until the final race of the competition. James Johnson ultimately took the spoils to be crowned Scottish National Champion, with brother Tom finishing in a very respectable fourth place.
Graeme Rowe, Royal Yachting Association Principal and Chief Sailing Instructor at Windermere School, was delighted with the students’ recent successes, “It’s been a busy few months of sailing, with students travelling the length and breadth of the country (and beyond) to take part in the various competitions. To be able to add the European Championship title and the Scottish Championship title to the various titles the students already hold is fantastic. To reach this level requires determination and sacrifice and I would like to say a huge well done to all of them.”
Mr Lavender, Headmaster at Windermere School, added, “Earlier this year, we were chosen to become a British Youth Sailing Recognised Club, due to the School’s commitment to junior and youth racing and race training, and this has been borne out with the titles our students are bringing home.
“I’ve mentioned before that sailing, and other activities, promote teamwork and confidence, which is why, as a School, we encourage all of our students to take part in extra-curricular activities. It teaches them to adapt and to develop a real focus, something which is vital not just in the classroom, but also once they have left the School.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our sailors and, of course, Graeme and his team, who work so hard and continue to inspire our young sailors.”
For more information, please visit www.windermereschool.co.uk
