Firefly record in line-up for Schools Championships at Itchenor

Fifty-eight boats, representing 20 British schools, are competing this week in the 63rd annual Schools Sailing Championships at Itchenor Sailing Club.

The three-day event opened today with a briefing for competitors followed by a chance to get in some last-minute training in good wind and weather on the waters of Chichester Harbour. Racing begins in earnest tomorrow (Thursday) and continues on Friday.

Event co-ordinator Nigel Glennie says: “Despite some schools missing this year’s event for funding reasons, we still have an excellent turnout. The 49 boats in the Firefly class is a record. However, there are only nine International 420s, which is somewhat disappointing – but it could spark keener competition.”

This year MPI Brokers joins its sister company Mind The Gap Year which has sponsored the event for the past eight years. Michael Pettifer, Managing Director of both companies and a keen sailor, says: “Sailing, including dinghy racing, is becoming an increasingly important part of the Travel Insurance we provide, so it is logical for us to bring MPI centre stage.”

The Schools event has been staged every year since 1952, when it was known as the Public Schools’ Firefly Invitation Championships. Its aim has always been to promote competitive inter-schools sailing and encourage young sailors.

The Firefly was the dinghy of choice as it was one of the first production dinghies built in large numbers. The first four were bought by Sir Geoffrey Lowles, commodore of Itchenor Sailing Club. In 1985, the International 420 was brought in alongside the Firefly to encourage the use of spinnaker and trapeze boats for school sailors.

In the early days of the championships, schools did not have their own boats, so competitors sailed in boats lent by Itchenor club members. The members also accommodated the competitors in their homes and at the club – a tradition that continues today.

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