RHS Suffolk women's sailing team celebrate championship win

Two sailing teams  - the Blue and Grey teams - at the Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Holbrook, near Ipswich, took part in the UK Women's National Championship for team racing on March 16 and 17.

The teams of six were among 14 teams from across the country, which included esteemed institutions and clubs.

On the first day of the championship, the RHS Grey team won nine out of 10 races and secured the top position in the rankings, while the RHS Blue team displayed won seven races and secured the fifth position.

The RHS Grey team - Ciara Murphy, Pauline Braun, Sophia Dias, Ruby Allen, Tasha Hazelwood, and Daisy Adams. (Image: Royal Hospital School)

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Both RHS teams advanced to the gold league on the second day, with the school’s Blue team winning 5 out of 6 races and securing the 2nd position in the league standings.

In the semi-finals, the Blue team won 2-0 against Cambridge University, which qualified them for the finals, where they raced Girls Afloat, the top team in the competition.

In a final showdown, the team won a deciding race to emerge victorious and secured them the UK Women's National Championship title.

Royal Hospital School competing in the UK Women's National Championship. (Image: Royal Hospital School)

Ed Sibson, director of sailing at RHS, said: "We are immensely proud of the RHS Blue team for their remarkable achievement at the UK Women's National Championship.

"Their victory is a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and unwavering determination as well as the school's commitment to excellence in sports and character development.”

Year 13 Pupil Georgie, captain of the Blue team, added: “It was a really smoothly run, well organised event that had a bubbly, friendly atmosphere with great team racing taking place throughout the whole weekend.

“The organisers made the racing fair and enjoyable. We all had a great time.”