GEMS students to learn the ropes at Maktoum Sailing Trophy

Nearly 60 children, drawn from Year 6 to Year 10 classes of the Wellington International School (WIS), Jumeirah College (JC) and Jumeirah Primary School (JPS) will join the crew of the Eureka Group Sailing Team, participating in the Maktoum Sailing Trophy 2007 being held at the Mina Seyahi Yacht Club (MSYC) from February 16 to 23.

The students will get more than a peek into the preparations that precede the regatta, the logistics involved as well as tactics and strategies employed, thanks to GEMS support for the Eureka Sailing Team.

The Eureka Sailing Team, comprising two boats namely 'D'Este - Eureka 33' and 'D'Este 24', is being officially launched this year, following the roaring success of the first Italian sailing team put together by the Eureka Group at the Maktoum Sailing Trophy 2006. The Italians went on to win 13 of the 14 races last year.

For GEMS students, the Maktoum Sailing Trophy experience will go beyond the normal pre-event preparations and race day visits. A batch of eight Year 8 students from WIS and JC will have an opportunity to experience sailing on the race boat, accompanied by a teacher. Similar batches will also attend the press conference called for announcing the Eureka Sailing Team's participation in the regatta as well as the skipper's briefing, and later produce a report on these events.

'We see this association with Eureka Group as an opportunity for our students to learn the principles of professional boat racing, in a broader sense. They will also get to know the publicity and competition strategies that go into a major sporting event like the Maktoum Sailing Trophy. This step is in line with the integrated learning approach, which GEMS follows in imparting education,' said Stuart Dennis, Senior Education Officer at GEMS.

'There is no financial commitment from either side in this association and the whole idea is to involve our students in the event,' added Dennis.

Francesco Rocco, Director and Founder of the Eureka Group said that sailing experience provides numerous educational benefits, including concepts in mathematics, physics as well as in history and geography, in a fun, hands-on learning environment.

'Sailing offers to children different attributes like genuine competition and teamwork. Stimulating and challenging, sailing demands discipline and alertness. A child learns to appreciate and respect the forces of nature, while experiencing nature with all five senses. The best part about this learning process is that it is so natural that the child hardly realises she/he is learning,' he concluded.