Andrew Craig-Bennett
07-02-2009, 12:13 AM
I spent a very happy day acting as pit crew to Alex and his crew, Theo, at Oulton Broad, yesterday, as around seventy racing dinghies competed for the county schools sailing title. Alex's contribution was not material, as he came 11th in the fast handicap class, but his school retained the title for the sixth year running, and I was tremendously impressed by the behaviour of all the teenagers taking part, and in particular the acceptance speech given by Alex's team captain, in which he thanked the organisers and our hosts and dedicated the win to a school colleague and team member who had been killed in a road accident a few days before. I have to say that the standard of sailing and sportsmanship was extremely high.
The more so, as, this being 21st century Britain, where twelve years of New "Labour" have further widened the gap between the social classes, a process that began with Margaret Thatcher, and this being one of the very few sporting events, or events of any kind, where the young ladies and gentlemen from the Public Schools (which are private and charge large fees) meet the "oiks" from the state schools.
In point of fact, almost all of the foul language, barging at marks, failure to give way on port, and so on came from the young ladies and gentlemen attending the grandest Public School present, one that boasts of its Naval connections and advertises that sailing is a part of its curriculum.
I am happy to say that Alex's state school not only thrashed them soundly on the water, but behaved very much better.
Could have done with more wooden boats, though! Alex's Firefly was, shall we say, rather easy to spot, having the only varnished hull. There were a couple of plywood Cadets and Mirrors; apart from that, plasic reigned.
The more so, as, this being 21st century Britain, where twelve years of New "Labour" have further widened the gap between the social classes, a process that began with Margaret Thatcher, and this being one of the very few sporting events, or events of any kind, where the young ladies and gentlemen from the Public Schools (which are private and charge large fees) meet the "oiks" from the state schools.
In point of fact, almost all of the foul language, barging at marks, failure to give way on port, and so on came from the young ladies and gentlemen attending the grandest Public School present, one that boasts of its Naval connections and advertises that sailing is a part of its curriculum.
I am happy to say that Alex's state school not only thrashed them soundly on the water, but behaved very much better.
Could have done with more wooden boats, though! Alex's Firefly was, shall we say, rather easy to spot, having the only varnished hull. There were a couple of plywood Cadets and Mirrors; apart from that, plasic reigned.