OR squad members are now taking part in high profile sailing events including the Fastnet, Cowes Week, Taittinger Regatta and The Classic Channel Regatta. Read below for Caroline Bowen's (No.1, 1991-98) update.
 
Womens Open Keelboat Championships (WOKC)
Roedean was well represented at this year’s Dubarry Women’s Open Keelboat Championship, winning the RS21 class and finishing 3^rd overall. Four Old Rodeanians competed in the RS 21 class, three in the combined RORC Rodean Team boat, Leonora Bowen (No.4, 1996 – 2001), Fleur Dilton-Hill (No.3, 1997-2000) and Jackie Wilson (No.1, 1995-2002), and one in the RORC Youth Team Anna Daniels (No.3, 2006-2014). Day 1 saw perfect racing conditions, with a good breeze building and plenty of sunshine. Admittedly the entire RS 21 class did get lost during race 1, but our excuse was that, in smaller boats closer to the water, we were less able to spot the marks from a distance! (Also, a key point when racing: never follow the boat in front of you!)
Our two boats ended the day in 1st and 2nd place, respectively. Plenty of intra-fleet socialising (and rosé drinking) took place at the evening’s “frocks & flipflops” party, but we were (mostly) in good form for the next day’s earlier start! With conditions being considerably windier, the key to a good placing would be careful control of the spinnakers on downwind legs, and that certainly proved to be the case, with several boats being “knocked over” in gusts of 20-knots. Great fun was had on and off the water, and we are looking forward to trying to repeat our success next year!
 
Royal Thames Drinks
We had some wonderful drinks with Jill Edwards (Parkinson, No.3, 1946-53) at Royal Thames. A big thank you to her for kindly hosting us on the glorious terrace. Jill is one of several ORs who have got really involved with the squad, and who are offering much welcomed energy and support.

The Arrow Trophy
We are pleased to announce we are attending for the 6th time. We welcome 3 new crew members, Sophia, Isobel and Sharon, and 7 returning ORs. A big thank you to the ORA and ORs who have supported us in this event.
Highlights for this event include:
- A training day (our first ever) sponsored by an OR who is a huge sailing supporter and understands the importance of training
- £500 contribution from the ORA
- A new battle flag/ forestay flag for in port, sponsored by Pam Mainwaring (Watson, No.4, 1956-63)
- Purple team hats, sponsored by Roedean
- Drinks with St Swithians on Friday night, and pre-dinner drinks with the old Pangbourian Sailing Club on Saturday
 
We will be having dinner & drinks on Friday 6.30- 9.30 at Royal London Yacht Club in West Cowes. Please let me know if you would like to join us.

Interested in taking part?
We are always looking for more sailors of all standards, with several crew using this event as a stepping stone into yacht racing, and hope that some new leavers will come and join us next season. To get involved please email: Roedean.alumni.sailing@gmail or join our FB or WhatsApp group- http://chat.whatsapp.com/FyD3zVFaaA6Dt7JhYK5bHw