Schools on the water for Ludlow regatta (From Dorset Echo)

Schools on the water for Ludlow regatta

8:44am Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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MORE than 70 students will be competing in the Dorset Schools Regatta today.

Teams of eight youngsters from nine secondary schools across the county will be vying for a new trophy.

The trophy is named after Bill Ludlow, who was the former Chairman of The Chesil Trust and the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

This year’s event coincides with the Spirit of the Sea maritime festival.

Defending champions – the Thomas Hardye School – will be returning to compete against All Saints Church of England School, Royal Manor Arts College, Sir John Colfox School, Wey Valley School and Sports College and Budmouth Technology College.

New schools taking part this year are The Purbeck School, Woodroffe School and Beaminster School.

The Chesil Trust sponsors the regatta, which is run by SailLaser at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

This sponsorship enables each child to participate at a cost of just £5 a head.

Organiser Emma Dawson, chief Instructor and community sports coach for SailLaser, said: “We will also be awarding a trophy – The Bill Ludlow Cup – to the winning school, who will engrave their name on it, to go down in history.

“Last year’s winners were the Thomas Hardye School.

“They will be returning this year to defend their title.”

She added: “Several of these schools come to SailLaser for after-school sailing sessions over a five or 10-week period.

“Some start as absolute beginners, while others come along to improve their skills and work towards the next level.

“Each school is entitled to bring a team of eight students, to sail in a day of races, with two students in each boat.

“The students will be split into two fleets – a younger and an older age group.

“These students will then aim to complete several races, with an overall score board being created, giving winners for each age group.”

The scores will then be combined giving an overall winning school.

There will be medals for each pair who come first, second or third, as well as T-shirts for all those who take part.