Sailing

Pittwater Secondary Schools Teams Racing Regatta

Over the past weekend our Pymble Sailing team took part in the Pittwater Regatta that was hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. It was much needed race experience before the upcoming NSW Teams Racing Championship, which is less than two weeks away.

Well done to the following students who took part in the Pittwater Regatta: Abigail McKinnon (Year 9), Chantelle Wu (Year 12 and Sailing Captain), Charlotte Wykes (Year 11), Clio Moran (Year 12), Daisy Stoodley-Williamson (Year 9), India Wells Lister (Year 9), Layne Phillips (Year 9), Penelope Girdis (Year 12), Simone Bennett (Year 9)

Pittwater Regatta Review by our Sailing Captain, Chantelle Wu (Year 12)

Over the course of two days, nine of our Pymble sailors participated in the 2023 Pittwater Secondary Schools Teams Racing Regatta, ultimately placing 5th overall.

This was our first regatta as a team with three new skippers and two new crews, allowing us to develop new skills and strengthen our connection as a team. We started the regatta Friday 3 March, leaving school a little early at 2.45pm to jump straight into our wetsuits and lifejackets.

As a Year 12 student this was a bittersweet moment for me as this would be my last Pittwater Regatta after six years of Sailing with the team. As a new team, our goal for the weekend was to gain racing experience in preparation for the upcoming State Championships and to have fun as a group.

As our team likes to say, “time on the water is a privilege” and we were determined to make the most of every second we had on the water. The race was structured in a round-robin series in which each team competes against every other team once, making up one round of the series.

On Friday we competed one round of the round-robin, marking our official debut as a team, By the end of the first day we left the Sailing club full of pride in ourselves and our teammates as we continued to improve with each race we sailed.

Having gained a day’s worth of experience, we returned the following day, well-rested and ready to tackle another long day of Sailing. This day would entail another round robin and the sail offs which would determine the final placings for the regatta.

Ultimately, we placed 5th overall, which for a new team is a fantastic result. As Sailing captain, I could not be prouder of the Pymble sailors as they demonstrated unwavering determination, resilience, and comradery, learning from each race and improving their individual skills, strengthening our team. Through this experience, I am confident we are ready to tackle the upcoming State Championships full of enthusiasm and love for the sport and one another.

Chris Wood

Sports Co-ordinator – Sailing