Early in the morning at Canberra Airport seven Canberra Grammar School students and seven Canberra Girls Grammar School students met to take a flight to Hobart. They were to participate in the 2013 Australian Schools Teams Racing National Championships which was supported by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. The regatta was based out of the Sandy Bay Sailing Club and ran over four days with 24 teams racing. These teams had qualified from all over Australia and were all competing for the title.
The two Canberra teams arrived in Hobart around lunch time and headed straight for the Sailing Club to practice before the start of the regatta. Both teams were focused and excited for the challenge ahead. On the first day of racing the wind was fair and the boys faced strong competition, ending up winning two out of five races.
The next few days of the regatta rolled over with the boys racing well and learning lots. On the third day the wind was in the boys' favour, blowing a consistent 18-20 knots, meaning they were able to record a few solid wins.
During their time in Hobart, the sailors were lucky enough to be accommodated by the Friends School Boarding House, along with Pimlico State High School with whom friendly games of pool and Fifa 12 were enjoyed.
The girls from CGGS had an up and down regatta, not quite managing to win a race, however they learnt a lot and had heaps of fun; even the regatta officials commented on the fact they were constantly smiling throughout the regatta.
The Canberra Grammar School team finished 20th out of 24, beating the NSW Schools Teams Racing Champions; Scots College. The boys were happy with the regatta but also determined to come back next year and compete further up the order.
Thank you to Mr Maltby and the other teachers on the trip, without whom the trip would not have been possible. Thank you also to the CYC and the YMCA sailing clubs for their support.
The two Canberra teams arrived in Hobart around lunch time and headed straight for the Sailing Club to practice before the start of the regatta. Both teams were focused and excited for the challenge ahead. On the first day of racing the wind was fair and the boys faced strong competition, ending up winning two out of five races.
The next few days of the regatta rolled over with the boys racing well and learning lots. On the third day the wind was in the boys' favour, blowing a consistent 18-20 knots, meaning they were able to record a few solid wins.
During their time in Hobart, the sailors were lucky enough to be accommodated by the Friends School Boarding House, along with Pimlico State High School with whom friendly games of pool and Fifa 12 were enjoyed.
The girls from CGGS had an up and down regatta, not quite managing to win a race, however they learnt a lot and had heaps of fun; even the regatta officials commented on the fact they were constantly smiling throughout the regatta.
The Canberra Grammar School team finished 20th out of 24, beating the NSW Schools Teams Racing Champions; Scots College. The boys were happy with the regatta but also determined to come back next year and compete further up the order.
Thank you to Mr Maltby and the other teachers on the trip, without whom the trip would not have been possible. Thank you also to the CYC and the YMCA sailing clubs for their support.