The Chronicle, Spring 2019

32 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Fair Winds and Following Seas The Sailing Club at Teddies is enjoying a period of exceptional growth and popularity. As we enter its busiest term, we talk to Head of Sailing, Annabelle Rose, and Captain of Sailing, Leo Wilson, to find out what’s on the horizon.

members of the team and welcome the opportunity to learn from them alongside the guidance from our instructor, David. Sailing rewards commitment, focus, effort and competitiveness and most importantly teaches us about being part of a team. Tell us about your favourite moment on the water. Leo: Mine must be when Archie Screech- Dean found a British flag in the changing room and decided to hoist it on our dinghy. Sailing around the reservoir singing ‘God Save the Queen’ was a wonderful moment. Annabelle: I was immensely proud when we entered a sailing team in a regatta in October 2018. This was a NSSA Single Handed Team Racing Championship and it was the first regatta the School had entered for a number of years. Despite the lack of experience, our pupils did incredibly well over both days. Taking our cue from Patrick Maxwell’s interview with the Warden on page four, can you tell us about a yachtsperson you find inspiring? Leo: For me, it’s Ben Ainslie. His emphasis on perseverance resonates with me and his numerous achievements are really impressive. Annabelle: I have recently been fortunate to learn more about Dee Caffari. She has sailed around the world six times and she is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions. To add to this she is the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world a total of three times. In 2006 Dee became the first woman to sail solo, non-

Where is the base for sailing at Teddies? Leo: At Farmoor Reservoir, about 10 miles south west of School. What sort of boats do pupils sail? Leo: We sail Fireflies pretty regularly and we also have three Fevas, some Toppers, a Laser 420 and a Laser SB20 Keelboat. We sail every Tuesday and Thursday, and this term we hope to extend to Saturday afternoons too. Who runs the Club? Leo: Our Head of Sailing is Ms Rose, Head of Psychology, and we are instructed by David Bickerton, who taught Physics here a few years ago. Do pupils take part in regattas? Leo: Yes, regularly, and we also compete in friendly fixtures against other schools. Last term, we took part in the National School Sailing Association Double Handed Team Racing Championship (see report), and this

term we have the British Schools Dinghy Racing Association team races and the School Sailing Championships at Itchenor to look forward to. What do you love about sailing? Leo: It is a very social sport, both on and off the water. You can have a lot of fun with both your crew and the opposite team. It builds incredible bonds and I really relish that. from any year group and any ability can become part of the team. Whether you sail competitively or not, there’s very little that can beat the sensation of being out on the water, wind filling your sails, harnessing the power of nature and relying on your skills and expertise. Sailing each week provides precious moments where fresh air, peace and quiet can be found. For me this helps slow down time a little and gives much needed space for reflection. I am in awe of the technical skills of experienced Annabelle: Sailing is a great sport. I particularly love the fact that pupils