Windermere School is celebrating further strong sailing successes, with several students qualifying for UK National and Northern Sailing 
Squads in RS Tera and RS Feva sailing dinghies. A series of tough qualification events through the summer saw a total of eight students selected from the only independent school in the Lake District.
In the RS Feva XL Class, Pierce Harris and Alfie Cogger put in memorable performances in the qualification events, finishing second overall to ensure selection for the National Squad. They will be competing at the European Championships next June, hosted by the Club Nautique de Versoix in Switzerland, and at the World Championships, to be held at the International Sailing Club in Medemblik, Holland in July.
The RS Feva is a world leading double-handed racing dinghy and has become the bestselling two-person sailboat in recent years. Pierce and Alfie’s qualification for the National RS Feva Squad builds on their success at the prestigious Eric Twiname Championships at Rutland Water in May this year, where they beat off strong competition in a field of thirty crews to be crowned champions.
There were also outstanding performances in competitions across the year from a duo of brothers; Theo and Felix Stewart, and James and Tom Johnson, who secured selection for both the RS Tera National and Northern Squads. The RS Tera Class, comes in two sail specifications, Sport and Pro, and is considered the perfect way to introduce youngsters to sailing.
Pierce Harris said, “We’re really excited to have been selected for the RYA National Junior Squad. Adding this to the coaching we receive at School, we’ve got lots of opportunities to improve and hope to do well this year. It’s great to see the School Sailing Team grow, with more sailors coming through to join us on the circuit.”
Inclusion in the National Squad and the North Zone Squads gives the students up to six weekends of top level coaching, as well as coaching support at all national and international competitions. Next summer the school sailors will take their boats to the RS Tera National championship in Weymouth and the World Championship in Carnac, France.
Fellow Windermere School students Isabel Flynn and Michael Batten, both in Year 7, have also been selected for the RS Tera Northern Squad. These successes follow a busy season of sailing for all the pupils, across the UK and Europe.
Graeme Rowe, Royal Yachting Association Principal and Chief Sailing Instructor at Windermere School, was full of praise; “All of our sailors have performed really well. This is a really fantastic achievement. Working alongside the RYA has helped us to produce some really talented sailors who have grabbed the opportunities which have come their way. We remain absolutely dedicated to our sailing programme at the school and will continue to provide as many opportunities as possible for the students.”
Adds Headmaster, Ian Lavender; “When we achieved Champion Club status in 2014, we knew that working with the RYA would take us to the next level, and these sailing successes are proof of that. They are also a testament to the hard work of the pupils and the staff, and the unwavering support from family, friends and coaches. As a school we are all very proud of them and their sense of teamwork and mutual support. We wish them continued success in all future sailing events.”