Two Year 10 pupils from The Leys, Cambridge have been selected to join the Royal Yacht Association’s eastern region training squad.
This sets them on course for possible selection for UK Sailing’s Youth Squads and, beyond that, Olympic Development programme.
Dominic Atherton and George Macfadyen will take part in a series of two-day training camps over the next six months (lockdown permitting).
The duo have been keen sailors for years; while at St Faith’s (part of The Leys and St Faith’s Foundation), Cambridge last year, they competed in Zest beginners’ dinghies at the IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) Regatta. Both sail in single-handed Toppers and have occasionally competed against each other.
George said: “I was first introduced to sailing when I was very young as my grandfather had a big boat called a cockle. I enjoyed going up to Norfolk in the summer holidays and started my Stage 1 at eight years old. Each year I continued doing stages until I got my first Topper at 11. This is where my love of competitive sailing sprouted.”
He began competing in the annual Racing Week at Brancaster and then began to sail and race weekly at the Hunts Sailing Club in St Ives.
Dominic got involved when his brother and his friends began sailing: “I went along to fill in the numbers. I realised it was really fun and became a member of Grafham Water Sailing Club. They put me on to the John Merricks Trust, which gives out a few Toppers to up-and-coming sailors. I was lucky enough to be given one. It really helped me to proceed with sailing and I have entered many competitions and regattas since then.”
Russ McAlinden, Head of Outdoor Education, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see both George and Dom succeeding, they are dedicated, focused and keen to push themselves further. I wish them every success going forward.”