Cowes Small Ships Race 2021: Success for all at youth charity's annual sailing race

Rona Sailing Project's Donald Searle (left) and The Island Trust's Pegasus (right) © Max Mudie

This weekend (Saturday 2nd October), over 90 young people took to the water for the Cowes Small Ships Race. This youth charity sailing race is organised by ASTO (Association of Sail Training Organisations), a Gosport-based charity which promotes Sail Training in the UK.

The Small Ships Race is a yearly event that takes place on the first Saturday in October and sees Trainees (young people aged between 12-25) onboard Sail Training vessels competing in a 'round the cans' race in the Solent. This year's race included vessels from eight different UK Sail Training organisations, all of whom take young people to sea for personal development.

Crew of Morning Star Trust's Eastern Star - photo © Max Mudie

Amongst the young people onboard were school groups, Scouts, and an early intervention mental health group. Several Isle of Wight based youth groups also took part, including the Isle of Wight college on board The Island Trust's Johanna Lucretia, Cowes Sea Cadets on board Morning Star Trust's Eastern Star, and pupils from Cowes Enterprise College who joined the crew of Ocean Youth Trust South's Prolific.

With heavy weather conditions and gusts of Force 8 winds forecast, ASTO's race committee took the decision to start the race an hour early. For the safety of the young people taking part, the race course was also shortened to ensure that all vessels were back alongside at Cowes Yacht Haven before the conditions worsened.

The Parade of Sail took place at 0830 and saw each vessel proceed past the race committee who were watching from the Royal Yacht Squadron's viewing platform. Trainees onboard were seen waving and cheering, with one vessel even performing the Macarena. The race commenced at 0900 to the sound of cannon fire from the Squadron.

Cirdan Sailing Trust's Faramir - photo © Max Mudie

ASTO's General Manager, Lucy Grodie, said: "We're delighted that despite the rough weather forecast, we were able to fit in a short but exhilarating race. The young people braved the tough conditions and returned from racing in high spirits and with smiles on their faces. Sail Training brings out the best in young people, and the crews in this year's Small Ships Race will have learnt that they can overcome adversity and work together to for a fun and successful outcome."

In place of the traditional in-person Prize Giving ceremony, which is usually held at Cowes Yacht Haven, the ASTO team braved the heavy rain and hand-delivered trophies (and ice cream!) to all the winning crews on the pontoon. A 'Virtual Prize Giving Ceremony' was then made available to stream on the UK Sail Training Facebook page yesterday lunchtime.

ASTO would like to thank the Royal London Yacht Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Yacht Haven for their assistance in organising this event.

Amongst this year's prize winners were:

• Aurora Trophy for 1st Place Overall — Jolie Brise, Dauntsey's School
• Glenlee Cup for Line Honours — Scaramouche, Greig City Academy
• Richard Langhorn Trophy for Spirit of the Race — Johanna Lucretia, The Island Trust
• Bloodhound Cup for Youngest (Average) Age Crew — Pegasus, The Island Trust
• Seven Seas Trophy for Youngest Skipper — Toby Humphreys, Eastern Star
• Cowes Rotary plaque for Best Crew Parade — Donald Searle, Rona Sailing Project