Jolie Brise Wins Florence Cup in 2008 Tall Ships Race

The School's famous gaff cutter, Jolie Brise, has once again made headline news by winning the Florence Cup in the Tall Ships Race. No less than 24 Dauntsey's pupils sailed onboard Jolie Brise this summer in the 2008 Tall Ships Race, which set off from Liverpool and ended in the Netherlands.

Over a million people turned out for the Parade of Sail at Liverpool on 18th July and the Jolie Brise crew (consisting of seven pupils and two Old Dauntseians) enjoyed a fantastic send-off as they sailed 150 miles north to the start line. The route took them past the islands of Skye and Minch and the infamous Cape Wrath. Under the expert seamanship of skipper, Toby Marris, Jolie Brise soon caught up with the large square riggers, some of which had pulled out almost 100 miles ahead. As the crew crossed the North Sea, they slowly reeled them in and overtook them to cross the finish line at Maløy both first in class and fist in the entire fleet of 55 vessels.

The next crew of eight pupils took part in the cruise-in-company through the Norwegian fjords to Bergen, for the beginning of the second leg of the race.

The final crew of nine pupils on the second and final race battled some extremely unpleasant weather conditions with high winds, strong rain and a confused sea. Nevertheless, they continued to stand their watches as the race route took them west to a point just off Aberdeen and then south to the finish line off Den Helder in The Netherlands. The triumphant crew crossed the finishing line in the falling light, to receive a phone call from the Head Master with their GCSE results- all of which were excellent!

A very happy crew were delighted to learn at the final prize giving ceremony that they had been awarded the Florence Cup for the second time in Jolie Brise's history, being first overall in class. Congratulations to all who took part in the race, and of course to skipper Toby Marris and first mates Adam Seager and Pete Smith.

Jolie Brise was moored at St. Katharine's Dock, London during the weekend of Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September. A large number of parents, Old Dauntseians and pupils were welcomed onboard where they joined the Head Master, skipper and crew for drinks to celebrate Jolie Brise's success this summer.

For more details on the Tall Ships Race, visit: http://www.sailtraininginternational.org/page.asp?partid=841

Many photographs reproduced by permission of sail training international