Royal Hospital School pupils win Fastnet Trophy at Irish Schools Team Racing Championship
by Royal Hospital School 12 Jun 11:16 PDT
Royal Hospital School pupils win Fastnet Trophy at Irish Schools Team Racing Championship © RHS
The Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Holbrook, Suffolk, is celebrating a major sailing victory after their RHS Blue team, Thomas D (Captain), Sam G, Sophia D, Izzy B, Toby S, and Daisy A, were crowned Fastnet Trophy 2025 Champions. The team travelled to Schull, Ireland, last month to compete in the prestigious Fastnet Trophy, part of the Irish Schools Team Racing Championship.
On arrival, the sailors were greeted with ideal racing conditions, including, strong breezes, expertly prepared boats, and a warm welcome from their Irish hosts. The first day saw an impressive 120 races completed across more than eight hours of intense competition. All 16 teams took part in a full round robin, racing each of the other teams once. RHS Blue dominated the leaderboard, finishing the day in 1st place, with RHS Navy close behind in 3rd, a remarkable performance that set a high bar for the remaining stages.
Extreme winds of up to 30 knots on the second day forced a suspension of racing. Undeterred, the teams made the most of the break with a scenic visit to Mizen Head - Ireland's most south-westerly point - and enjoyed a well-earned afternoon of rest at Barley Cove Beach. The downtime offered a refreshing change of pace while allowing the sailors to refocus ahead of the final day.
Racing resumed on the third and final day in brisk but manageable conditions, with cut-down sails in use. The competition moved into gold and silver leagues, with both RHS teams earning their place in the gold league. Each team had seven further races to determine the final standings.
A pivotal moment came when RHS Blue faced the Schull Sharks, their closest rivals after the round robin. With an emphatic 1, 2, 3 at the windward mark, RHS Blue clinched a decisive victory and maintained their momentum through the remaining races.
RHS Blue delivered a flawless performance throughout the championship, winning all 22 of their races to be crowned Fastnet Trophy 2025 Champions, an exceptional accomplishment. RHS Navy also impressed, winning 14 races and securing 5th place overall, narrowly missing a podium finish by a single race.
Ed Sibson, Director of Sailing at the Royal Hospital School commented on the win saying: "This result is a testament to the incredible dedication, teamwork, and composure shown by all our sailors. To win every single race in such a competitive field is an outstanding achievement, and I'm immensely proud of both RHS Blue and RHS Navy for representing the school with such skill and sportsmanship. Their success reflects the strength of our sailing programme and the values we strive to instil at RHS."
Thomas, RHS pupil and Blue Team Captain, added: "Racing in Ireland was a really memorable experience. We were delighted with the result."
RHS extends sincere thanks to Schull Community College, the Fastnet Marine Outdoor Education Centre, and KSail for organising a superb event. The school is proud of both teams for their commitment, resilience, and sportsmanship on the international stage.