STRONG winds challenged more than 120 students at the Dorset School Sailing Games.

For the third year, the event was held at Rockley Watersports based in Poole. The 13 schools competing were invited to bring a group of 12 students from years 7 to 10. For many, it was their first experience of racing.

The Dorchester Schools sailing team, who were the winners last year, were only able to field a team of seven sailors. Members of the team included Year Six pupils, Ben Adler from St Osmunds and Jamie Richards, from Dorchester Middle School.

The pair teamed up to compete double handed in the Challenge Fleet. They finished in fifth place.

Year Seven student Tia Adler from St Osmunds and Year Eight pupil Ben Richardson from Dorchester Middle School made it into the third of five finals with Richardson achieving a silver medal.

George Fellows had a fantastic morning in the heats to gain a place in the second final. Two Year Nine Thomas Hardye School students secured their spot in the competitive final.

Will Adler, the individual gold medallist of last year’s games, gave a strong performance finishing in sixth place whilst Ollie Fellows thrived in the conditions to take the silver medal.

The Dorchester team members were pleased to have secured third place overall, each student being presented with a bronze medal. The overall winning school was Poole Grammar closely followed by All Saints School.

Matthew Laycock of Poole Grammar School was the winner of the Grand Final and Harry Owens from All Saints School placed in third.

With a large number of participants, the Rockley Watersports team ran the racing very efficiently.