SE CHRONICLE 684

66 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Sailing By Archie Screech-Dean, Former Captain of Sailing The sporting year for the sailing team began almost as soon as the last one had finished, with most of the 1st VI competing for Oxford at the NSSA National Youth Regatta in Plymouth in July 2021. The Regatta was a great way to launch a busy year of sailing, with much experience gained, and a competitive performance all round. The Autumn Term was arguably our busiest of the three as the largest squad to date prepared for our first team racing regatta since lockdown by training hard and developing our skills. This hard work paid off towards the end of the term, with Fourth Formers Charlie Hutton and Oli Hales winning their fleet at a tournament held with various schools including Radley, Abingdon, MCS and Clifton. To finish off the term, Teddies arrived in full force at the MCS Christmas Regatta, bringing a squad of Shells to Upper Sixth, a wonderful demonstration of the inclusive and competitive nature of the sport. After poor weather in the Spring Term, the Summer Term was a very welcome prospect for the team, and although exams limited the number of competitions we were able to enter, everyone got straight to work in preparation for the two biggest events of the year: the National Schools’ Championships at Itchenor and the NSSA Regatta. This was the first time the Itchenor Regatta had been held in three years, and

Hayden Screech-Dean and Anthony Bartlett

the new and improved 1st VI were eager to prove themselves in the coastal waters of the Chichester Channel. Throughout the three days, every member of the team put in maximum effort, holding their own against national and international champions. As the days wore on the fatigue began to show but everyone persevered and the regatta proved a great experience for everyone involved. Six Teddies sailors joined the Oxfordshire team at the National Schools Sailing Association Regatta on Grafham Water in late July, camping in much warmer conditions than the rain and wind of a year earlier in Plymouth.

The Oxfordshire team appeared strong throughout the week, winning the Mount Hayes Cup in the mid-week race, and placing competitively throughout the fleets. Particular highlights for the Teddies team included leavers Archie Screech-Dean and Izzy Rogers placing 8 th in the Medium Handicap fleet, closely followed by Hayden Screech-Dean in 14 th . Despite an unfamiliar boat, Captain Anthony Bartlett sailed admirably in the Laser Radial fleet, with the strongest sailors from across the country fighting for the podium. Anthony continued to improve as the week went on, and this was shown in the results. Overall, it was a very useful and enjoyable event for the whole team, and we hope to build on the team’s experience in the year ahead. Throughout the year, the team demonstrated incredible dedication to the sport both in their time on the water and in co-curricular sessions. Dr Bowen, the former Head of Sailing, was a key figure and a driving force for the development of sailing at Teddies and we wish her the best of luck in her new teaching role in Scotland. We also wish the best to Anthony Bartlett and Hayden Screech-Dean in their roles as Captain and Vice-Captain; they show dedication to the team and skill in the sport, and we have faith in their ability to push the Club to new heights in the years to come.

A hiking bench session for the 1st team