sedbergh takes on the 3 Peaks Yacht Race
The Goal: To raise £10,000 by "sailing" the 3 Peaks!
A group of intrepid Sedberghians are aiming to raise £10,000 for charity through a challenge which has never been attempted by any School - to sail to each of the 3 Peaks before running up each peak.
6 pupils, accompanied by 2 members of staff will, over 4-5 days in July, take on this epic adventure raising vital funds for Young Lives vs Cancer sailing on a 36ft yacht from Barmouth to Fort William.
Challenger Issy says "I relish the idea of challenges, mental and physical, and this seems like the perfect opportunity to really push myself and see what I am capable of.”
“Young Lives vs Cancer help families and young people who have been isolated through Covid as they are extremely clinically vulnerable and can fund essential technology to support the young people and families at this time. Everyday twelve or more young people or children receive this diagnosis and often parents have to give up work in order to care for sick children. The charity provides support on the road to recovery throughout their cancer journey.
We wanted to choose this charity as whilst we are completing this challenge, there are other teenagers the same age battling through challenges greater than we could ever imagine. We hope that by raising money and awareness for Young Lives vs Cancer, they will have a greater chance at recovery and a second chance at life.”
Challenging yourself is an important part of the Sedbergh ethos.
Sailing the 3 Peaks is an endurance challenge which attracts some of the world's greatest athletes. To date, no School has ever attempted this extraordinary race. Our 6 pupils have signed up to sail and run, with 2 pupils summiting each of the 3 individual peaks. Below are the highlights of the route:
Barmouth to Caernarfon and Snowdon
The first leg starts from Barmouth, yachts sail approximately 62 sea miles, past Bardsey Island and the Llyn Peninsula, over Caernarfon Bar and arrive at Caernarfon Pier. A compulsory five-minute kit check by marshals is carried out before the runners set off to the summit of Snowdon via the Ranger Path and return via Llanberis, a distance of 24.5 miles.
Caernarfon to Whitehaven and Scafell Pike
Here crews can opt to sail around the Isle of Anglesey or continue, under sail only, through the difficult waters of the Menai Straits.
After a further sail of approximately 100 sea miles yachts arrive at the marina in Whitehaven. This is the longest land leg of the race, the distance to Scafell Pike and back via Ennerdale being some 53 miles, so bicycles are allowed for the 40 mile return trip to Black Sail Youth Hostel.
The ride is via a cycle path, country road and forestry track and racers leave their bikes at Black Sail Youth Hostel before setting off on foot to cross Black Sail Pass to Wasdale Head. Here they will be met by friendly marshals at Wasdale Head Hotel, this time with food and drink! Runners then proceed to the summit of Scafell Pike and return to their yacht via the same route.
Whitehaven to Fort William and Ben Nevis
This sailing leg is a distance of approximately 227 sea miles rounding the Mull of Kintyre and into the Sound of Jura, through beautiful scenery but with many tidal gates to negotiate. The race finishes just north of Fort William at Corpach, at the entrance to the Caledonian Canal where the sailing is over and skippers can lock in to Corpach Basin and lie alongside.
The runners, after checking in with the marshals, set off to the summit of Ben Nevis, which is a 17.8 mile return trip. The race is finished when the runners return and cross the finish line!