Royal Hospital School pupil in UK named 'Bermuda Junior Male Athlete of the Year'

Seb Kempe at the Youth Sailing World Championships 2022 © RHS

Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Holbrook, Ipswich, is celebrating after Year 13 pupil Sebastian Kempe was named 'Junior Male Athlete of the Year' following his sailing success. This award was given by the Bermuda Government at their recent National Sports Awards to recognise Sebastian's achievements to date.

Sebastian, age 16, is a full-boarding pupil and sailing scholar at the Royal Hospital School from Bermuda, who joined RHS for his GCSEs and is now studying in the Sixth Form. Sebastian previously secured the Youth World Champion 2021 title (ILCA6 Male class), at the Youth Sailing World Championship and was then Runner-Up in 2022. Sebastian's father, Somers Kempe, also competed for Bermuda in the Youth Worlds almost 30 years earlier.

Sebastian Kempe commented on his nomination and what it means to be awarded, saying: "I was nominated for this award due to my excellence in sailing throughout the previous year, specifically, being second at the World Sailing Youth Worlds and being 5th at the U21 ILCA 7 World Championships. I am very proud to be recognised by my country again this year and to celebrate my accomplishments."

Ed Sibson, Director of Sailing at Royal Hospital School, also commented: "I am delighted that Sebastian's hard work and dedication has paid off. He is one of the most talented young sailors I have ever worked with; he has a world champion mindset, getting up before breakfast to run and train in the gym before the school day begins. He is dedicated to his training plan and we are delighted to support him with his racing schedule during his time at RHS. Sebastian is extremely versatile across a wide range of boats and has been a valuable team member in some of our school competition successes."