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ALLEYNIAN SAILING SOCIETY The Alleynian Sailing Society (ASS) goes from strength to strength with another full year of activities, culminating in a splendid dinner to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The Boys Sail Training week took place in July and was fully subscribed. The boats were ready early and we got to Cowes in good time. Thence to Yarmouth for two nights with some more formal teaching on chart work and boat handling as well as a day sail to the Needles. The trip up to Bucklers Hard showed the boys a different side to the Solent and the barbecue (now under cover on the hard) was a success thanks to the effort of Harry Willets. We were joined by Fiona Angel and Elliot Read from the College, who seemed pleased to see the boys enjoying themselves and learning a different aspect to life. The Pursuit Challenge threw up some interesting sailing decisions and was a close finish. The Tony Pendry cup was awarded to David Coxon on Mon Deleme (skipper Al Capon,73-80), and for the first time Competent Crew certificates were awarded to various boys: James Misson and Conrad Summers on Gimbal (skipper Simon Purchon, 68-75); James Lock on Fleur de Lys (skipper Peter Fosdike, 92-01); and Max Thorpe and Saverio Jones on Vis a Vis (skipper Reg Kheraj). I thank the skippers and crew who continue to give up their time in order to make this event a success. The College was represented by Harry Willets and Victoria Goldsack, and they were joined this year by Rajiv Joshi, who looks certain to bolster the school’s commitment to and support of sailing. The Belvidere Cup was postponed this year as the J-80s had been sold and the weather proved unsuitable for the replacements. The older boys’ rally took place in May and two boats made their way to Weymouth in good time. Fortunately, the firing range at Lulworth was not active this year and the Hon Sec was not chased by range boats! The ASS dinner, held at the Royal Thames Club, was a success, with an address by Roger Knight OBE (57-66), who was Chief Executive of the MCC after playing cricket professionally. (Roger’s father was DVK, former Boarding House Master who many may remember was the first Hon Sec when the Society was formed.) Many old and newer sailors attended and there was a good ‘buzz’ in the room. The College was represented by Fiona Angel and Elliot Read. The OAA was represented by Nick Howe (Chairman) and Trevor Llewelyn (Sec), and we are grateful for their continued support.
The Arrow Trophy The Alleynian Sailing Society took part in the Arrow Trophy Yacht Regatta in 2023. Organised by the Royal London Yacht Club, the regatta is an annual sailing competition for alumni clubs from independent schools, taking place in the challenging waters of the Solent. The format is short fleet racing on day one, raced in two fleets of one-design yachts, with the top four teams facing a series of match races on day two to determine the placement of the top four boats and overall winner. In total, there are five trophies to be won, first to fourth place and ‘best of the rest’. The two fleets operate on a divisional basis, with the 12 top-tier crews racing faster and more challenging boats, and the 12 second-tier crews racing smaller, slightly easier to sail (though none the less competitive) boats. Schools can be promoted or relegated based on a rolling aggregated four-year score. Dulwich have pedigree, having won the competition several times in the past, but we have sat firmly in mid- table positions over the last few years. With racing highly competitive between schools, the prospect of relegation to the second tier loomed large for 2023. Most of our crew for the event have been sailing together in the same incarnation since 2021; however, we were pleased to welcome back Mark Richmond, an experienced sailor and racer, to the team. 2023 also saw the return of Anthony Frankford, club Honorary Secretary, a number of years after he claimed to have hung up his racing boots. This new crew combination seemed to work wonders for the racing dynamic and chemistry onboard, and with conditions on day one favourable to good racing – everything looked positive. A good start is imperative to a successful one-design fleet race, and it was clear that with Mark on helm, we were taking no prisoners, jockeying for a strong starting position in the fleet. With options on how to sail the course based on tide and wind conditions, good race tactics are also vital, followed by slick sail handling, manoeuvres, and the infamous spinnaker sail hoists and drops. Our performance in race one was only OK, earning us a mid-table, seventh-place finish. Our second race saw us improve markedly, holding our own around the course, fighting for every inch of water and finishing fifth. Race three saw us start very well, making good headway up the course. With pressure mounting between schools and the scoreboard starting to take shape, the fierce competition and rivalries finally boiled over with a serious collision between two other schools, allowing Dulwich the chance to pull ahead and finish in a strong fourth place. As the boats lined up for the fourth and final race, Dulwich was one of three boats that could finish fourth to make the match racing (and guaranteed silverware) on day two. All ashore, the crew celebrated in the evening, and as it happens, this year the weather gods convened to prevent racing on day two due to lack of wind. Although frustrating, that’s part of sailing – and with day one rankings taken as final – it left Dulwich in fourth place, and the recipient of the Radley Shaker trophy for 2023. Pride intact, Dulwich’s silverware streak restored, and our tier one place maintained – it was a great end to the 2023 racing season. Looking ahead to the season in 2024, I see great things in store for the ASS’s! If you are interested in finding out more about the Alleynian Sailing Society please contact Secretary Anthony Frankford, anthonytfrankford@gmail.com. Reg Kheraj (02-07)
Anthony Frankford (73-80), Secretary ASS
Who and where are you now? If you fancy it join us for some sailing please get in touch
Sunday 26 May – Friday 31 May May Rally Hamble and along the coast Wednesday 10 July Boys Sail Training Week BBQ Beaulieu Thursday 11 July Boys Sail Training Week Dinner Island Sailing Club, Cowes
2023 ASS Arrow Trophy Crew
Mark Richmond (95–00) - Helm/tactics Ant Lindley (92-00) - Main/radio Ben Taffs (09-16)- Trim/Bow leader Matt Gorvett (06-13)- Trim Reg Kheraj - Trim/crew boss/nav (skipper) Tom Tidbury (93-00) - Pit/trim Anthony Frankford (62–69) – Pit/trim
September Date TBC End of Season Dinner Royal Thames Yacht Club/ Royal Ocean Racing Club
Pete Fosdike(92-01) - Bow Victoria Goldsack – Mas
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