Reflections on a Win
Dear Crew,
First of all, a huge thank you to every member of the crew from all of us at LSS, and from myself and Neil (“Slavedriver!”) Maher. You should all be incredibly proud of what you achieved this weekend.
It’s important to remember the standard of competition we were up against. We were racing alongside very experienced crews in, many of whom have sailed together for years and wouldn’t dream of changing their crew for an event like the Round the Island Race. Despite that, you took the challenge head on, sailed Cougar with determination and confidence, and showed exactly what can be achieved with good teamwork, commitment and enthusiasm!
It was a long hot race and as the day wore on and the temperatures climbed, everyone kept their focus. The long spinnaker run back towards the finish demanded constant concentration, good communication and plenty of hard work. It would have been easy for tiredness to creep in, but you stayed switched on right to the end, keeping Cougar moving well all the way home.
The result was a fantastic reward for all that effort. We finished ahead of many excellent boats and I am delighted for you all to have won the 2026 Schools Boat Trophy. It’s a result that reflects not only how well Cougar was sailed on the day, but also the preparation, teamwork and positive attitude shown by every member of the crew.
Of course, every race has those moments that stick in your mind. My personal favourite came when that Pogo 44 tacked away in front of us after we’d lee-bowed them and forced them to tack off. To top it all, their mainsail dropped beautifully straight into its stackpack. It was one of those little sailing moments that brings a smile to your face and reminds you just how enjoyable close racing can be.
Well done again to everyone. Winning the Schools Boat Trophy is something you should all be immensely proud of, I know I am! I hope it’s a race you’ll remember for many years to come. Thank you for your commitment, your enthusiasm and your excellent teamwork throughout the day. It was a privilege to sail with you all.
All the best,
Andy Young