ASC Portland's 2024 Autumn Regatta sponsored by Beyonder
by Jacob Tyson 9 Oct 15:20 BST
2-3 October 2024
October 2nd and 3rd saw this year's Autumn Regatta at ASC Portland, where students from different schools visited the centre to take part in a day's racing.
The Autumn Regatta is a great opportunity for the young pupils to experience new challenges in a unique environment, which helps to enable them to grow in confidence. We'd like to say a big thank you to our sponsors for the event, Beyonder.
Opening the regatta for day one was the under 11s, which saw good breeze with gusts up to 18 knots. Five schools including Walhampton, Highfield, Brambletye, Sunninghill and RPPS took part featuring 13 boats and 26 sailors. Walhampton School's Rory Bubb and Ivor Spencer-Churchill took home the victory, in what was very well spirited racing featuring some student's first ever regatta.
Mr Holland of Sunninghill Prep School said: "All the children of Sunninghill School have had an amazing day, they all came off the water full of smiles, an amazing experience for them, and it was great to see some of the more experienced racers looking after the first timers. The Andrew Simpson Centre provide clear instructions to ease the children in, and they end up having lots of fun and a great experience."
Day two brought blue skies and wind speeds up to 22 knots as the over 11s took to the water. Eight schools including; Millfield, Walhampton, Wey Valley and Budmouth attended the centre to join 18 boats and 35 competitors out on the water.
The Over 11s fleet demonstrated a wider range of ages and abilities, with some sailors only starting their sailing journey this year! Each participant who took to the water showed great courage and determination as they launched themselves into a new environment.
Ellen Wood, parent of participant Izzy said: "Izzy had a great time, and I think she is really determined to brush up her skills and improve in time for the next one!" Izzy sails at ASC Portland every Friday and only started to sail in Spring 2024, her parents also said, "she is loving the sailing courses, and we are so proud of the progress she has made".
Sailors from Walhampton School, Louis Rumbol and Henry Finch took first place. A special mention to Sean Wu from Millfield School who impressed the committee boat as he sailed solo after his crew dropped out last minute.
We hope all the students had a great day racing and look forward to welcoming you back for many more regattas!
You can view the full set of results from both days racing at: