Priestlands win 70th National Schools Championship held at Itchenor

Eighteen pupils from Priestlands School Sailing Team, sponsored by Typhoon International Ltd and Hurst Castle Marine and Events, competed in the 70th National Schools Championship held at Itchenor Sailing Club 3rd & 4th July and won the overall schools trophy becoming the National Champions for 2023.

The National Schools Championships, also known as Itchenor Schools Week, began in 1953 as The Public Schools Firefly Invitation Championships with the aim to promote inter-schools sailing competition and encourage youth sailing. Initially raced in Fireflys, the event has moved with the times introducing 420s and now RS Fevas with all schools now welcome to compete.

Dirk & Jonny chased by Freya & Joanna at the 70th National Schools Championship held at Itchenor - photo © Kate Hutchinson

A record breaking hundred and five RS Fevas from thirty-one schools registered for the event. Day one the fleet launched in a fresh south westerly building breeze, wind with tide and beat forty minutes to reach the race area at the mouth of Thorney Channel in Chichester Harbour. Race one was an impressive sight to behold as ninety-six feva's started from a single line with those spotting the port end bias gaining an early advantage. With the wind steadily increasing to a strong breeze some chose not to use spinnakers and those that did flew down-wind on the windward/leeward two lap course.

Amelia & Isla at the 70th National Schools Championship held at Itchenor - photo © Kate Hutchinson

As forecast, race two got under way in a strong breeze, with wind now against tide and wind increasing to near gale conditions. Those sailors that could keep upright worked extremely hard to survive and raced around the course with only thirty-eight boats completing the race. The remaining days races were abandoned on account of the fierce conditions.

That evening, much needed respite came at the social and disco held at Itchenor Sailing Club where the sailors let off steam, jumping around to some lively tunes, following a really testing day on the water (with a few mothers joining the throng!).

70th National Schools Championship held at Itchenor - photo © Kate Hutchinson

Reenergized sailors set off on day two in a south westerly moderate breeze. The race officer, Roddy Bridge managed to complete four two lap windward/leeward races in a fresh breeze with only one general recall in race six. With the completion of six races, two discards were applied. At the top end of the fleet competition for second place was fierce with Dirk and Jonny Rogers from Priestlands, battling it out with India Eastwood and Margot Evans from Wycombe Abbey School, the brothers prevailing to ultimately take 2nd place overall. With the top three boats from each school counting towards the Schools Team Prize, Freya Hutchinson and Joanna Macalister, finishing 11th and Amelia & Isla Hutchinson 18th Priestlands School saw off tough competition to win.

The Priestlands Sailing Team at 70th National Schools Championship held at Itchenor - photo © Kate Hutchinson

Along with George Bence, Joe Bewick-Newbury, Will & Milla Vinycomb, Amber Erdbeer & Annabel Hutchinson, Alex Breese and Raffy Seddon, Clodagh Punton and Lily Chisnell, Beattie and Poppy Markby-Brans, all Priestlands sailors deserve recognition having completed the majority of all six races over two days, navigating the highly changeable range of Chichester Harbour weather, winds and tides and being part of an unforgettable, hugely successful 2023 Itchenor Schools Week. With special thanks to Typhoon International Ltd and Hurst Castle Marine and Catering for enabling Priestlands to take part in this prestigious regatta.

Priestlands Team with the overall schools trophy at 70th National Schools Championship held at Itchenor - photo © Kate Hutchinson

Overall Results: