sailing pyramid, Holt is aware that
students have differing ambitions.
“Some want to continue with dinghy
sailing, which is fine. Then there is the
expedition side of Scaramouche where
they go sailing for the sake of going
sailing or on our smaller boats – sail by
themselves to Lymington, stay overnight
and come back again, learning the basics
of seamanship.” But this cruising has been
upstaged by the attention Montel and his
crew have received from their racing.
SUPPORT AND LEGACY
Another key to Greig City Academy’s
success has been their fundraising.
GCA students naturally make headlines;
despite coming from a school where
75 per cent of students qualify for
free meals and being the newcomer
underdogs, they have succeeded, thanks
to their collective determination.
Montel has played a key role; he
has given around 40-50 talks, several
resulting in sponsorship: Pioneer
Underwriters covers Scaramouche’s
running costs – following a meeting
between their CEO and Montel during
Cowes Week. In addition to David
Franks, their Etchells sailing is supported
by the Joan Braithwaite Sailing Trust
and the Greig Trust (which funds Greig
City Academy) and many others.
The marine industry has also been
supportive. RORC provided gear to help
get Scaramouche legal for last year’s
Rolex Fastnet Race; Ocean Yacht Systems
schools approach existing sail training
organisations in the first instance.
It’s been a steep learning curve,
but there’s no doubt the GCA sailors
have blazed a trail, and Holt’s praise
for the young sailors is well deserved:
“Most of our students come from
Tottenham, where in 2005 they saw
their neighbourhood burning down.
Now they are here doing sailing, a sport
that is considered elitist. That Montel is
getting advice from Lawrie Smith and
Steve Benjamin is extraordinary – like
an aspiring footballer getting advice
from Thierry Henry or Eric Cantona!”INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
With Montel due to leave the
Academy this summer, so
younger students are being
trained to take over. Among
them are 14-15 year olds Jamal
Ganiyy, Shayan Sanca and
Kayin Makonnen, who have
formed a team. Learning the
ropes on dinghies and smaller
keelboats, they are now aiming
to start racing Scaramouche.
So what do they
make of sailing?
Jamal: “I started last year.
Initially we were a bit hesitant
because we didn’t know what
sailing was about, but it wasa good experience and we
wanted to continue doing it.
I’ve been following in Montel’s
footsteps in the Etchells and
I’ve been on Scaramouche.”
Shayan: “When we were
told about sailing I was really
keen. We went dinghy sailing
in Poole Harbour, then our next
trip was on Scaramouche – it
was hard because there were
hail stones and it was like, ‘Oh,
why am I doing this?’ But then
I carried on and I really like it.”
Kayin: “When I sail in the
cold weather it really puts
me off, but you have tostrive to overcome it. When I
heard my teacher talk about
sailing, I was really motivated,
although a bit scared because
I had never done it before
and thought it might be
dangerous. But I continued
and now I’m really enjoying it.”
Just as Montel has with his
crew, so Jamal’s trio are now
working together as a team, a
life skill that will certainly help
them in the future. “Creating
a team is really important
because it means they want to
sail together and have a laugh
as well,” concludes Holt.supplied standing rigging; English Braids
and Marlow Ropes help with running
rigging; Spinlock with the deck vests.
The students’ endeavours have caused
other schools to take note. Holt says
he would be glad to use the team’s
experience to advise others – whether
they want to race or go on trips, whether
in dinghies or big boats – and to help
make it as straightforward as possible.
“If a school is going to do a sailing
project, I would not advise buying a
1980s one-off yacht where if anything
breaks, a replacement has to be custom
made for it!” he says, advocating thatAbove, right
GCA hits Miami
on their USA trip
to compete in the
Etchells Biscayne
Bay seriesApril 2018 Yachts & Yachting 47