Perdy Light HC 2016 took part in the Arrow Trophy for the first time in an all girls’ team last October and placed an impressive fourth out of twenty five crews, to win the Radley Shaker Trophy (the fourth place prize).

The Arrow Trophy, a sailing competition run by the Royal London Yacht Club, is open to former pupils of independent schools. It began in 1987 as a competition between Harrow and Eton and now boasts between 15 and 25 teams each year. Taking place aboard Sunsail F40s out of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, there are now a total of five trophies to be won.

Perdy formed part of a 12-strong all female crew, nine of whom were St Swithun’s Old Girls. A complete mix of ages, experience and ability, the team had only sailed together once before during their training day a couple of weeks before the event. Perdy laughed, “the night before the boys were saying, ‘don’t feel bad if you don’t get anywhere. Come on our boat!’ but we did so well and they had never had a girls’ team place so high before. We want to do it again next year.”

The winners were a team from Winchester College who have been sailing together for 25 years. Perdy didn’t mind losing to such an established team - many of whom had sisters who went to St Swithun’s. The prize giving will take place in a few weeks’ time and the women are looking forward to seeing each other again to celebrate their fantastic success.

Perdy attributes her team’s spirt and drive to their days at St Swithun’s. “There was always a sense of resilience and girl power at school… always a feeling of fun competition.” That positive mindset certainly paid off during the competition, as the St Swithun’s team beat the likes of Marlborough, Harrow and a team from Dulwich with Perdy’s brother in it! 

Other alumnae crewing with Perdy were: Emma Lamb HH 1998, Nicola Butler (Robson) HH 1984, Alexandra Ling CG 2016, Claire Lainson (Delbridge) CG 1985, Olivia Williams ED 2016, Sophia Harper ED 2016, Gabriella Stewart ED 2016 and Lara Clementson ED 1987. Well done all of you for such an amazing first effort and we look forward to hearing about next year’s adventure. 

Pictured: The first St Swithun’s all female crew