Kate Chernyshov (SH 1984-86) reports on the OKS entry in the Arrow Trophy, a sailing competition between Independent Schools, raced as an annual weekend regatta, in 2 fleets of one-design yachts crewed by former pupils.

The forecast on Friday predicted the arrival of Storm Amy so we made an early start from Port Hamble and spent several hours tacking and gybing round markers in the Solent, which was strangely empty with all distant shorelines obscured in the gloom and squalls. Andy kept us alert to imaginary competitors and practising tactics for the race. Strong gusts prevented any spinnaker hoists.

The storm was developing as forecast and by 4pm we were safely in Shepards Marina in Cowes sinking our first beers to the sound of rain slashing on the decks. The Arrow Briefing confirmed that there would be no racing at all on Saturday so Andy generously provided a plan B which involved hiking up to St Catherine’s Oratory and watching the storm force winds lash the coastline. We were back in Cowes for dinner at the Royal Ocean Racing Club, swapping school stories and memories of Canterbury.

Sunday morning brought three races in stiff winds and sunshine with a rather choppy sea state. The Race committee mandated no spinnakers and one reef so we knew we were in for some fast times. Our approach to the start line in the first race was a little delayed while we made a change to our sail plan and let out our second reef. Despite some great team work we couldn’t recover from our position at the back of the fleet. Race Two, with Andy on helm, started at the same time as a very strong gust that threw the fleet into a hasty reconfiguration and the King’s boat was lucky to emerge unscathed although once more at the back of the fleet. Goosewinging downwind saw Nathan holding the genoa by hand, showing some admirable core strength.   

For Race Three, Nathan took on the helm, with Jonathan on the bow and Nick maintaining his stance in the cockpit handling mainsheet and vang like a Roman charioteer. With a good start and excellent teamwork and encouraging instruction from Oliver, we moved up the fleet. We gave a light kiss to the committee boat as we rounded it and made good speed until we had a brief encounter with another boat playing outlandishly aggressive tactics. A smooth recovery and a bit of retaliatory wind-shadowing brought us to a finish halfway up the fleet.

Thanks again to Andrew Dean for taking on the management of our Arrow Trophy entry for another year and giving the crew an opportunity to sail among friends and represent the OKS.

Crew: Andrew Dean, Jonathan Rhind-Tutt, Nick Briggs, Oliver Briggs, Nathan Howell and Kate Chernyshov.

To learn more about OKS sailing, and how to get involved, please visit the OKS Sailing Club here.