Annabel Scoops Gold in Argentina

Young RYA Volvo National Youth Squad sailors, Annabel Vose (16) and Megan Brickwood (15) have started 2011 in style securing themselves the Ladies World Title in Buenos Aires, Argentina after the 420 World Championships came to a close on Wednesday 05, January. Remarkably, they have only been sailing together for a year and a half.
 
In difficult choppy conditions Annabel and Megan thought their chances of a medal from the event were over on day one; breaking their mast just before the finish line in race two. Luckily they managed to hold on to their sixth place position in the race crossing the line just in front of the rest of the fleet to hold on to second place in the overnight standings. 

Annabel said: “When we crossed the line in the last race we knew we’d done enough to get the gold but we thought there was another race. It wasn’t until our coaches told us that was it for the day that we could believe we really had won!”

Parents Robert and Jane Vose who are thrilled with Annabel’s  success, expressed their gratitude to the school:

“Annabel could not have reached this level of achievement in her sailing without the fantastic support of Hampshire Collegiate School. They have always recognised and celebrated her achievements.  The teachers and tutors all go that extra mile to support Annabel, allowing her to attend overseas Sailing Regattas, some of which extend beyond the holidays. They even managed to schedule the AS Maths revision class so that Annabel could fly back from Argentina in the morning and not miss it. The school helps Annabel to find the right balance between completing her academic work and fulfilling her sporting commitments. As parents we also get great support from the teachers and they are easily contactable by email or phone.’ 

Annabel commented: ‘My sailing programme is very intense and continues throughout the year.  I sail most weekends and my teachers help me often by providing homework in advance and ensuring I get the course notes I miss. In my GCSE year the school provided me with some free study periods which enabled me to catch up any work I missed. Now I am in the Sixth form I get the chance to do fitness training as well as course work in my free periods.  I have a great set of friends at school who help me keep my feet on the ground!’