Bermuda’s Sebastian Kempe, Nicole Stovell and Millie Lewis basked in glory after helping Royal Hospital School Sailing Academy achieve victory at the British Schools Dinghy Association National Finals this week.

The local trio were members of the Royal Hospital School Blue team that edged MCS Black 2-1 in the best-of-three final in the Firefly team racing competition on Tuesday.

Helmsman Kempe said teamwork was the key to he and his fellow colleagues success.

“It was a team effort and a long two days and I couldn’t have done it without the other five people,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“It obviously feels pretty good and amazing to know that 50 per cent of the team were Bermudian as well.

“That was my last team racing event for the school and it was a great way to close out.

“It’s been three years that I’ve been at the school and I have accomplished a lot, both individually and for the school. Not only in my Laser career, but also while team racing for the school.

“This event has marked the end of an era. However, when one door closes others will open, and I will always look back at my time at Royal Hamilton School with fond memories of hard work and great achievement.”

Helmswoman Stovell said the triumph was just reward for herself and her fellow team-mates after putting in the hard work in the hope of achieving their goal at the two-day championships.

“My team and I really worked hard towards this, competing on the same team several times this year, including at an international team racing trophy in May, the Wilson Trophy,” she added.

“While we didn't come away with a win from that one, we gained so much experience, knowledge and confidence we ere able to take those things and be successful with them in future events like the British Schools Dinghy Racing Association Finals.

“I knew we would enjoy this last one and work hard to get far in the competition. This win felt well earned after all the practice and trial and error we'd had in the past.”

Like Kempe, Stovell and Lewis were also making their curtain call for Royal Hospital School Sailing Academy.

“This was our last event with The Royal Hospital School and I think we're all glad that we get to end our time here on such a high note,” Stovell added.

“The event was really a lot of fun and we had a good time together, on and off the water.”

Crew Lewis expressed mixed feelings after all was said and done on the water.

“This event had great competition, good wind and was overall a great opportunity to experience,” she said.

“This event was quite bittersweet for me as it was my last one representing Royal Hospital School.

“It was a great finish to school team racing as I felt our team was great in decision-making, which I felt was a key part to our success.

“I look forward to the future of team racing for me, hopefully competing in university.”

The local trio had the honour to triumphantly raise the prestigious Whitstable Trophy which is on permanent loan to the British Schools Dinghy Racing Association from the Royal Thames Yacht Club.

It is one of the oldest trophies in the gift of the Royal Thames Yacht Club which is one of the oldest running yacht clubs in the world.

The championships were hosted by Norfolk Broads Yacht Club in Wroxham Broad, Norwich, with all racing taking place on the River Bure.