In recognition of her incredible dedication to the sport and extraordinary talent, Jemima Price has been appointed Sherborne Girls first ever Captain of Sailing. Jemima plans to use her new role to generate enthusiasm for sailing at Sherborne Girls and build a team to rival her fellow sailors at Sherborne School.
“I first started sailing at the age of 8. It was my mum’s dream to have her two daughters brought up with a sport that she and her mother so passionately loved! We first sailed on the River Dart in Devon in a small boat known as an Optimist. That first trip also marked my first capsize, when I watched our little boat sail away without us. I have loved sailing ever since!
I am incredibly proud to be Captain of the Sherborne Girls sailing team. We sail with Sherborne School every Thursday and Saturday, travelling together in a minibus to Sutton Bingham Reservoir. One of the best parts of combining forces with Sherborne School is the opportunity to make friends and support sailors in other year groups. Older sailors hold RYA Assistant and Dinghy Instructor qualifications, enabling them to guide the younger years and assist them with boat handling. Together we form one big mixed aged group, helping each other improve our skills and sometimes competing as a joint team.
Looking ahead, I am hoping that more girls will join the sailing team this summer. Although there has been a steady uptake, I would really love to see more of my friends at school taking part. Charlotte, the youngest sailor in our team, and arguably the most avid, says that sailing is the highlight of her week because of the high spirits an enthusiasm of those involved. She particularly loves the fact that everyone works so well together on the water, supporting each other to secure the best possible sailing positions.
This term is the first time that Sherborne Girls will enter the National School Fleet Racing Championship and I would love to see us compete in strong numbers. With so many new opportunities available, it will be great to see more women taking part in a traditionally male dominated sport”.
