Royal Hospital School near Ipswich achieves sailing success

Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, on the Shotley peninsula, won titles including the Royal Yachting Association under-19 women’s team racing national championships and the British Schools Dinghy Racing Association’s Rondar shield.

The private boarding school is one of only two UK schools whose students can wear Royal Navy uniforms.

A representative from the school said: “From navigating challenging courses to mastering the art of teamwork, RHS pupils have shown exceptional skill, determination and sportsmanship. Each trophy represents countless hours of hard work and dedication.”

In January last year, six Royal Hospital School female sailors cruised to victory at the Royal Yachting Association’s under-19 women’s team racing national championships, achieving a clean sweep of races on the second day.

Ed Sibson, director of sailing at Royal Hospital School, said of the title: “This result represents a huge success, and I'm sure it will only motivate the team to train even harder and be more focused in the coming months.

“The team is a huge inspiration to our younger female sailors and I hope many of them will follow in their footsteps and compete at this level in the future.”

The school also won the Royal Yachting Association Youth National Team Racing Championship, avenging a second place finish the year before.

All three Royal Hospital teams advanced to the gold league of the youth competition, finishing first, third and fifth.

The school’s sailing academy is based at Alton Water reservoir, with all Year 7 pupils enjoying a week of beginners’ sailing training.