Regatta Sailing Academy inter-schools regatta 2016
by Simon Kearns 14 May 2016 21:18 NZST
9 May 2016
The third annual edition of the interschools regatta was held at Regatta Sailing Academy based in Katara Doha, Qatar on the 9th May 2016.
7 teams comprising of young sailors from local schools around Doha were invited to this most prestigious of events. The racing format was 1 lap of a triangle course and three races. Each team consisted of a double-handed Pico and a Laser entry.
All teams received their pre race briefing from the regatta staff and headed out to the race area, all keen to represent not only themselves but also their schools.
With a dying sea breeze race officer Hannah Williams was keen to get the fleets started promptly and managed to get the 14 boats off and away on their first attempt. The young sailors applied all they had learnt over the last year and more of lessons and pushed themselves and their boats to the maximum to succeed.
Jury boats manned by Regatta instructors Connor Jefford and Spike Douglass kept a watchful eye to make sure that the rules were adhered to and respected by all.
After the first race defending champions Compass International were leading with a total of 4 points followed by the German schools/Newton international team with 5 points. Third was was the park house/Doha college west bay team with 7.
All very much still to play for going into the second race, the fleet again got off first time in now a very gentle wind. With boats at times becalmed whilst they waited for wind the second race became a test of concentration and patience.
After race two Compass international had extended their lead on 7 points, German schools/Newton international had 12 but now tied with the joint team of ASD and DESS also with 12.
Race officer Hannah held the fleet for a while before race 3 commenced to allow the gradient wind to fill in, allowing the spectators lining the shore the chance to get a perfect view of the racing as the course was now right up against the shore line.
With their defense of the overall title looking promising the Compass international team pulled out all the stops and star Laser sailor Timme dominated the final race from start to finish and crossed the finish line with his head and hands held high!
The prize giving ceremony was held on the beach of Regatta Sailing Academy and all participants were reminded how far they had come since first learning how to sail, many of them with Regatta!
Overall Results:
1st place – Compass International – Timme, Eelke and Zoe
2nd place – German school/Newton international – Giovanni, Francisco and Tristan
3rd place – ASD/DESS – Lutfi, William and Beatrice
4th place – Parkhouse/DCWB – Liberty, Nevio and Evelien
5th place – AKIS/French – Tim, Julliet and Alex
6th place – DHE – Butch, Michael and Bilel
7th place – Sherborne – Joseph, Charlotte and Molly