Banner image: The NZSS Keelboat Crew consists of Gretel Satterthwaite, Danielle Robertson, Daniella Wooldridge (Capt), Bella Jenkins, and Jess Handley.
The Westlake Girls Sailing team as had a strong start to 2024, with sailors featured on the podium at the Auckland Secondary School Fleet Racing Regatta, which took place at Wakatere Boating Club on Friday, 8 March. Captain Daniella Wooldridge led the way in the individual boats by winning the Girls’ division of the IQ Foil class and finishing third overall. Year 11 student Jess Handley took charge in the Girls Division of the Starling class, finishing first, with Year 10 Bella Jenkins finishing third. Jess’ younger sister, Charlotte Handley, made a promising debut in her first Secondary Schools Fleet Regatta, to finish third in the Optimistic Class.
A week later, the five-person crew of Daniella Wooldridge, Gretel Satterthwaite, Danielle Robertson, Jess Handley, and Bella Jenkins teamed up for the National Secondary School Keelboat Championship at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and impressed by winning the inaugural Girls’ Trophy and finishing fifth overall behind Auckland Grammer, Westlake Boys, and St Kents.
The sailors now move into 420 boats for the Auckland Secondary Schools Teams Racing Regatta, which will be held from 20 to 22 March at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club. The young side is looking to emulate last year’s win and will begin the event standing tall as the only girls’ team in a Gold Fleet that features Auckland’s top boys’ schools.