It is often said that sport brings people together.

And Rockal Evans and his girlfriend Christina Barnard are a prime example.

The couple fell in love with each other just days after Mr Evans invited Ms Barnard to sail with him in his Comet dinghy in St George’s Harbour nearly two years ago.

Even though she had no previous sailing experience, Ms Barnard agreed. And the rest, as they say, is history.

“I am a type of person that likes to control most things around me so for me to have total trust in him that first race showed me that this is someone I feel totally comfortable around and can trust,” Ms Barnard said. “We have literally been inseparable since because we realise we have a good thing going, and will do whatever it takes to stay happy.

“Sailing can be a romantic sport and it is weird that we would rather go out and practice than go out to parties.

“Sailing has definitely helped our relationship to be honest. It forces us to talk and communicate well. Could you imagine being mad at someone and you are stuck in a small boat?”

Mr Evans, who is the grandson of late Olympic sailor Howard Lee, describes his girlfriend as a natural. After all, she is a cousin of veteran sailor Stevie Dickinson.

“Chris and I have been sailing since May, 2012 and our first race was in St George’s Harbour,” he recalled. “She was a rookie who had never raced a sailboat before and we ended up placing second overall that day. Since then, we have sailed together full time in the Comet.”

Needless to say, the couple’s sailing and relationship off the water continues to flourish.

Mr Evans and his girlfriend underlined their sailing potential after claiming a maiden Comet Class fleet title last season.

Mr Evans attributes a number of factors to the team’s success.

“The key to the team’s success has been good communication, dedication, good team work and determination,” he explained. “Also, the other Comet sailors, such as Stevie, have been a great influence on us and are always taking the time to help us improve our skills. Christina has been sailing for less than two years and, besides me, she has learned a lot from the other sailors — especially Stevie and Pat (Young).”

Winning a national title has yet to sink in for Ms Barnard.

“It is a weird feeling as I have only sailed two seasons so far so I feel really lucky and grateful,” she said. “Although we work really hard so do other sailors and I am grateful that they come out so that we can race.”

She added: “Rockal has never doubted me. He does not get mad when I mess up and really makes the whole experience so much fun for me. The other sailors also give me advice on how to improve. Rockal and I also have a lot of support from our friends and family, so it really helps when you have people that are on your side and help out all the time.”

Competing in last year’s Flagpole to Flagpole Comet Race from Hamilton Harbour to St George’s Harbour via the North Shore proved to be an enjoyable experience for the couple.

“Flagpole to Flagpole Race was definitely our favourite race,” Mr Evans declared. “We did not place first, but we battled Stevie and Pat from Clay House Inn all the way to Fort St Catherine. It was blowing 25 knots, with gusts of 30, sailing upwind with big waves the whole way.”

Having savoured the sweet taste of success, Ms Barnard is now keen to broaden her sailing horizons.

“Other than continue to compete in the Comet Class locally, I would like to attend an overseas event this year,” she said. “Rockal and I also want to sail in the next Frost Bite season in a 420 (class), but we will see how that goes.

“I honestly have so much fun and have felt so welcomed in the class since I started. I have really made some life long friends and have no intentions of ever leaving the class.”

Mr Evans added: “Overall, our goals are to compete as much as possible, attend an overseas event and work with class president Gladwyn Lambert and others to try and grow the class locally.”