SPORT Sailing
MiC/Manager: Steven Everingham Coaches: Steven Everingham, Shelly Jackson, Eloise Nevin Teams Racing Squad: Louis Hitching (captain), Oscar Chaffey, Sam Nicol, Henry Hitchings, Mitch Brents, Sam Kelly, Arthur Mahon Non-racing Squad: Edward Foote, Harry Lee, Jack Simpson, Max Hao, Tim Tolerton, William Owen, Logan Baynes, Dan Kelly, Elliott Grey, Alan Viles, Oliver Glossop, James Higginson, Oscar Aynsley The 2021 season started with the threat of Covid-19 cancelling the nationals and regionals because of a cluster of cases in late January. However, the regional event in Nelson went ahead in late March – fortunately, without restrictions. The three-day event started in lighter conditions on day one, with the team forced to ‘repechage’ down to the silver fleet after an unsuccessful run – failing to win any of the nine races. However, the team fought back on the second day, winning seven out of the nine races to return to the gold fleet. That ensured more training against the best South Island teams on the final day, resulting in a 7th finish of the 14 teams. In the nationals at Algies Bay, College enjoyed a much better start to the three-fleet, six-day event. The boys managed a very successful 9–1 win record in the first round, meaning the team could ‘repechage’ up a fleet from bronze to the silver on the second day of competition – staying in that fleet for the next five rounds (three rounds more than usual because of surprisingly consistent conditions). In the silver fleet, a mostly junior team of Years 9–12 students faced strong competition. The final 17th place out of 28 teams
was not as important as the overall gains of the experience benefitting our sailors over the next few years. In fleet racing, Louis Hitchings skippered for Oscar Chaffey in a very impressive win in the SIAG 420 Championships at Charteris Bay, along with a 2nd in the South Island 420 Championships off Lyttelton. They then scored a highly rewarding 7th at the nationals with some typical Canterbury extreme conditions on Lyttelton Harbour at Easter. This was a commendable result for the College crew, earning a New Zealand team nomination for the Youth World Championships that were, sadly, cancelled by Covid-19 in 2021. Louis Hitchings was awarded the Grigg Kidner Cup for services to sailing, thanks to his leadership and his role as one of the most proficient and fast skippers in the group and a worthy colours recipient, along with Oscar Chaffey. Oscar is one of the few Year 11 students to be bestowed
with such an honour. Will Owen was awarded the Most Improved Sailor Cup, proving a real find in terms of his willingness to skipper and, hopefully, race for College in the following years. Both Eloise Nevin and Shelly Jackson put in immense effort and hours during the season, managing and training boys off Lyttelton and building up a range of activities and resources for non-sailing days, including a new strategy for the future. This includes a Parents of Sailing Support group, a push to provide up to 10 boats to train more sailors and the appointment of our first coach-boat maintenance manager. Sadly, we have lost Ms Nevin as she moves to Nelson in 2022. However, we look forward to a return to normality for our regional and national regattas in 2022. Steven Everingham MiC Sailing
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Register 2021 Sport
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