72nd Senior Schools Championship at Itchenor Sailing Club

72nd Senior Schools Championship at Itchenor © Kirsty Bang

Monday got off to a promising start with a steady westerly breeze as the fleet assembled at Itchenor for the Senior Schools Firefly Championship. However, the sailing gods had other ideas, with the wind fading and swinging round to the south-southwest just as competitors launched.

While the sailors waited ashore and afloat, Race Officer Paul Ward and his experienced team carefully monitored the conditions, patiently waiting for the sea breeze to build.

Following a 60-minute postponement, racing finally got under way.

Royal Hospital School's Toby Smith and Devon Lane made the perfect start to the regatta, taking victory in Race 1 — the first of five wins in the eight-race series. Close behind were Itchenor Sailing Club sailors representing Seaford College, Arthur Pattison & Joshua Clark and Felix Gladman & Leo Thorne, who made the most of their local knowledge to manage ever-changing conditions.

72nd Senior Schools Championship at Itchenor - photo © Seb Jemmet

As the breeze settled and the ebb tide strengthened, Race 2 proved more challenging. An initial general recall prompted the display of the Black Flag, which caught several competitors out at the committee boat end. Clifton College's Sam Blakeston & Henry Horsted capitalised on the restart to claim their only win of the event, finishing ahead of Toby Smith & Devon Lane, while Ryde School's Finley M. & Charlotte Cox completed the top three.

The final race of the opening day saw Toby & Devon take another win. Ryde School's Oliver Smith & Ellie Baker took second, edging out their teammates Finley M. & Charlotte Cox, who came in third.

A steady southerly breeze greeted competitors on Tuesday, and PRO Paul Ward made his intentions clear early by aiming to complete the remaining five races and finish the championship series.

72nd Senior Schools Championship at Itchenor - photo © Kirsty Bang

In Race 4, Toby Smith & Devon Lane extended their impressive run of victories, finishing ahead of Royal Hospital School teammates Ciara Murphy & Dany Porter. Sevenoaks School's Jamie Middleburgh & Josh Beverley secured third place, narrowly holding off Ryde School's Oliver Smith & Ellie Baker.

Race 5 brought a home victory for Itchenor Sailing Club member Arthur Pattison, sailing for Seaford College with Joshua Clark. Toby Smith & Devon Lane came second, while fellow Seaford sailors Felix Gladman & Leo Thorne ensured two local boats rounded out the podium.

The Gladman family — and Seaford College — made an impressive showing in Race 6. Felix Gladman & Leo Thorne claimed victory, while Scarlett Gladman & Rue De La Haye finished second. Claires Court's Sam Brown & Victoria Jesseman completed the top three.

72nd Senior Schools Championship at Itchenor - photo © Kirsty Bang

The Black Flag returned in Race 7, once again claiming several victims before racing got under way. Toby Smith & Devon Lane returned to the top step of the podium, followed by Royal Hospital School's Sam Tan-Hardy & Sam Whelan in their best result of the regatta. Clifton College's Sam Blakeston & Henry Horsted took third.

The championship concluded with the traditional 'race home'. Competitors rounded a windward mark positioned off East Head before racing back towards the finish. Toby Smith & Devon Lane controlled the race from the front to secure their fifth victory of the series, ahead of Sherborne School's William Lewis & Dylan Hughes. Claires Court's Sam Brown & Victoria Jesseman joined them on the podium in third place.

72nd Senior Schools Championship at Itchenor - photo © Kirsty Bang

After eight highly competitive races, Royal Hospital School's Toby Smith & Devon Lane were crowned worthy champions, having demonstrated outstanding consistency throughout the championship.

A tremendous thank you to Race Officer Paul Ward and his team for two memorable days of racing, to all the volunteers who supported the event on and off the water, and to Chef Danny for fuelling the fleet of hungry sailors.

Trophies awarded:

1st - Sir Richard Fairey Trophy - Royal Hospital School, Toby Smith & Devon Lane
2nd - Gavin Anderson Trophy - Ryde School, Oliver Smith & Ellie Baker
Mid-Fleet - Nick Prosser Trophy - Claires Court, Henry Adamson & Monty Morgan
Team Prize - Royal Hospital School
First All-Girl Boat - Astral Cup - Royal Hospital School, Sarah Davis & Daisy Adams

Toby Smith and Devon Lane, overall winners - 72nd Senior Schools Championship at Itchenor - photo © Kirsty Bang

Overall Results: