Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Holbrook is delighted to announce that its exceptional sailors have dominated the waters over the last 18 months, securing an impressive collection of 12 prestigious trophies.

From navigating challenging courses to mastering the art of teamwork, RHS pupils have shown exceptional skill, determination and sportsmanship. 

Each trophy represents countless hours of hard work and dedication.   

Out of 12 total trophies, three major sailing highlights over the last 18 months include: 

·        RYA - Under 19 Women's Team Racing National Championship 

The Royal Yachting Association hosts four team racing events each year, including a women's only event.

This combines an open competition with a British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA) competition and, for the first time last year, an under 19 competition. In January 2023, six RHS female sailors competed at Rutland Sailing Club. Led by Nicole S, Millie L, Georgie S, Grace CR-B, Audrey F, and Sophia D won the silver league and secured the under 19 trophy with a perfect second day—seven wins out of seven races. 

Ed Sibson, Director of Sailing at Royal Hospital School, said: "We are delighted with the fantastic achievement of our women's team. Their attitude to training all year has been exceptional, you can really see their drive and determination to succeed. This result represents a huge success, and I'm sure it will only motivate the team to train even harder and be more focused in the coming months.

"The team is a huge inspiration to our younger female sailors and I hope many of them will follow in their footsteps and compete at this level in the future."

·        RYA - Youth National Team Racing Championship 

After finishing runners-up last year and third the year before, 2023 RHS won. The purple team, led by Sarah D, won eight of their nine races on day one and four of their five races on day two, including the crucial head-to-head with Rutland Sailing Club that proved to clinch the title.

The dominance of RHS in the Youth Competition, with all three teams advancing to the gold league, and ultimately finishing first, third and fifth, showcased the depth of talent at the School.  

• BSDRA - The Rondar Shield - British School Team Racing National Champions 

The pinnacle of school sailing, The Rondar Shield is awarded to the winner of the BSDRA Finals. In 2023, the finals were held at the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club over two days in June. The blue team faced tough competition but finished day one unbeaten. The only team to win all ten of their races.

On day two, they progressed to the gold league where they, again, won all their races. In the semi-final they beat Rutland Sailing Club 2 - 0 to progress to the final. Here they triumphed against Magdalen College School, Oxford, winning the final 2 - 1.

The triumphant blue team, led by Thommie G, comprised Harriet G, Nicole S, Millie L, Sebastian K and Daisy C, put the RHS name on this trophy for the first time in its 34-year history.  

In addition to these impressive achievements, the Royal Hospital School excelled in various sailing competitions, including the 2023 BSDRA Eastern Region Team Racing Championship where the purple team, led by Sarah D, emerged undefeated to secure the championship.

They also demonstrated resilience at the NSSA Lancashire Silver Jubilee Plate, finishing eighth out of 21 teams in the two-day Single Handed Team Racing Championship. The school claimed second place in the Firefly category at the Itchenor Sailing Club and secured the National Schools Championship Firefly Team Prize. Moreover, they showcased remarkable resilience and skill in the NSSA Match Racing National Championship, finishing third overall.

Finally, at the 2023 BSDRA Finals, the dedication of Thommie G, Harriet G, Nicole S, Millie L, Seb K, and Daisy C earned them the highest-placed school award, along with the Rondar Shield and the Whitstable Trophy.

Further highlights over the last 18 months include: 

·        BSDRA - Eastern Region Team Racing Championship 

The 2023 Eastern Championship was hosted by Oakham School at Rutland Sailing Club. The purple team, consisting of Sarah D, Ciara M, Merryn A, Daisy A, Toby S and Devon L, emerged undefeated, securing the championship with a flawless performance.

·        NSSA - The Lancashire Silver Jubilee Plate 

The National School Sailing Association hosts three events each year. The two-day Single Handed Team Racing Championship, sailed in Toppers and hosted by Bartley Sailing Club in 2023, includes the Lancashire Silver Jubilee Plate which is awarded to the team with the highest finishing position of all the teams that finished the first day in the bottom half of the league. Joel S, Will G and Florence O demonstrated exceptional resilience and tenacity across the two days of competition, finishing with six wins from their 11 races to end up 8th out of 21 teams.

·        Itchenor Sailing Club - Gavin's Tray & National Schools Championship Firefly Team Prize 

Since 1953, Itchenor Sailing Club have held the famous National Schools Championship each summer. Toby S and Harriet G showcased their sailing prowess, claiming second place in the Firefly category and winning two races with three seconds across their seven races. In addition, the team prize at the National Schools Championship was awarded to the school with the best aggregate score from their top three boats. The RHS senior team, led by Thomas D, secured the team prize, with the three boats finishing second, sixth and seventh overall. This resulted in a winning margin of 12 points from Magdalen College School, Oxford.    

·        NSSA - Match Racing National Championship 

Since 2004, this trophy has been awarded to the top placed NSSA team at the Schools Match Racing Championship. In 2021, Seb K, Thommie G, Paddy M, and Grace P retained the title, won by Will P, Flo N and Far V in 2019. Competing in RS21 keelboats at Queen Mary Sailing Club against nine other teams, the RHS team's remarkable resilience and skill shone through, winning six out of nine races in the round robin and then winning the petit final against Royal Grammar School Guildford to finish third overall and top NSSA team.   

·        BSDRA - The Whitstable Trophy 

Dedicated to the BSDRA in 1990 by the Royal Thames Yacht Club, the Whitstable Trophy is awarded each year to the highest placed British school at the BSDRA Finals. Thommie G, Harriet G, Nicole S, Millie L, Seb K and Daisy C earned the highest-placed school award, along with the Rondar Shield at the BSDRA Finals in 2023.