BUCS-BUSA Team Racing Championships 2015
by Tony Mapplebeck 19 Apr 2015 23:36 BST
10-12 April 2015
Cambridge Blue take the Trophy in nail-biting shoot-out with Oxford Blue in an exciting Championship
There were three days of intense competition during which the 28 university teams sailed 258 races, using the Swiss League system, leading to quarters, semis, petit finals and finals on a brilliant last day of team racing. It was hard fought and gripping to the very end for the spectators and those many following the race commentaries on-line. Cambridge Blue emerged as Champions, having been taken to the full five races in the Finals by Oxford Blue. In the Petit Final, Loughborough won the final races of the Championship to take the 3rd place overall, with Cambridge Yellow in 4th. The Irish team, from University College Cork, winners of the Irish University Sailing Association's Intervarsities 2015, was 5th overall in the Championship.
The British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Team Racing Championship, probably the largest team racing competition in the World, is organised by the British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA). The culmination of a year of training and competition, through the many inter-university events and then Qualifiers, Scottish Leagues and Playoffs, involving 500 sailors in teams of six from 37 universities, 168 of the elite of British university team racers came to Notts County Sailing Club for the Finals from 9th to 11th April. It was hosted by the University of Nottingham Sport Sailing Club (UoNSSC), in conjunction with Notts County SC, making an excellent, well provisioned and serviced venue, much appreciated by competitors and officials alike.
The event was managed by the BUSA Technical Delegates, Jon Napier and Tom Churchill, in conjunction with Race Officer Adam Whittle. The racing was brought alive to those back home through the usual live blog on the event page of the BUSA website – masterminded by Jon Napier, Tom Churchill and, BUSA Vice President, Sean Clarkson at Race Control, accompanied by an almost constant flow of tweets from many of the university clubs (Oxford had to temporarily suspend its otherwise constant tweeting when both its teams were on the water at the same time!). A team of volunteers from UoNSSC, led by Chair of the Organising Committee, Ed Parnell, managed the racing on the water, together with the Bosun's team on shore. There was a team of a dozen Umpires, led by Chief Umpire, Greg Eaton, with Chair of the Jury, BUSA President, Peter Johnston. The support of Notts County SC, including its Flag Officers and other colleagues throughout the event, and, not least, the supply of fresh food from Pauline's Kitchen, was much appreciated by competitors and organisers alike.
As the racing got underway, BBC TVs East Midlands Today arrived, and spent several hours taking in what was going on, having interviews with UoNSSCs Ed Parnell, BUSA Chairman, Phil Derry, Team Race Coordinator, Emily Wiltshire and South-Central Area Coordinator, Jamie Barker, as well as Notts County SCs Commodore, Nicki Theokritoff. The sailing provided an excellent backdrop for that evening's East Midlands Today and included clips of all the interviews – a nice representation of university sailing at its best and of the facilities and waters of Notts County SC in full use.
Racing started after a short wait for wind on Thursday morning, but the beautiful sunshine, which lasted most of the event, contributed to the competitors' enthusiasm for a variety of games, shoe-golf etc. on the lawn (including some team antics from the Southampton (Wessex SC) sailors, as well as uninhibited demonstrations of balance, energy and athleticism from 'SUUUSA' (oops, Scottish Student Sailing) and their growing circle of friends. But the wind came in and racing was underway by midday, achieving a first round of 14 races by 13:15. At this early stage, due to the vagaries of the tie-break system, Ireland (University College Cork) lay at the top of the leaderboard. Jon Napier blogged: "One round in and two protests being heard ashore already. Lining up to be a contentious event..." Evidently the umpires were going to be earning their corn; indeed race 13 (Cambridge Pink vs Manchester) had to be re-sailed (after Round 3) due to an absence of umpires at the start – obviously hard-pressed elsewhere!
The excitement in some of these early races was caught on the Live Blog. In Race 27, Cambridge Pink vs UCC Ireland, for example, Tom Churchill got quite carried away: "They are off, green flag, straight away.....Ireland look to have the early advantage up the beat.... Cambridge boat in 2, he could make the magic happen at mark 1..... He's been sailed out, but the Irish sailor makes a mistake, loads of shouting..... Cambridge have snuck through 2 3 6 for the English team..... Irish boat in 1 sets the trap..... Rule 42!!! Disaster for Ireland...... Too much work to do here IRE need a 1/2..... Round the bottom mark IRE have lost 1, some brilliant development from Cambridge.... Desperation lane for Ireland on the final beat..... But it's not going to happen, or is it.... Ireland take 1, just don't get last.... They are going to do it.....Ireland beat Cambridge 145!!" – all in the space of nine minutes – fast and furious! (even in the lighter winds of the first day).
Meanwhile, Oxford were much more interested in another race and tweeting fast: "#GrandadPhil in 1! (Oxford) Green win!" (was it at this point that a book was started in Race Control regarding Phil Derry's age? – "We are fairly sure here in Race Control that Phil pre-dates modern team racing history" #howoldisphilderry?). At Race 43 Oxford Blue vs Green, BUSA Tom, seems to focus on Mr Derry: "Looks like Phil Derry is making the magic happen..... The tactical authority of Phil Derry shows through as he converts back to a 1 2.... This is all over now on the last beat. Oxford Green sailing in clear air taking 1st as we speak.... It's a 1 2 to Oxford Green. I'd hate to be in the Oxford Blue boats now..... Some soul searching required for Oxford Blue. We await the (Oxford) media team for a response... Odds of Phil Derry winning BUSA have been slashed after that race". OUYC's rather muted tweet came eventually: "oops.... but well done Green".
Somewhere around 15.15, Tom blogged about the beautiful weather, indeed "Perfect team racing conditions!" Shortly afterwards, Sean Clarkson [aka 'BUSA Stig'] had to announce a 20 minute postponement for lack of wind.
Completing 64 races by 17.20 on Thursday, the racers headed off to watch themselves on BBC East Midlands Today, before an evening of Issy Hamilton's Nottingham Socials; the ever watchful Bosun team were not quite so quick to head into the City.
For many students, this year's Championship will have been the culmination of three, four or more years of competing for their university, or, indeed, for some postgraduates, sometimes more than one university. Some may have team raced before going to university, whether in the Optimist, in inter-schools competition or at one of those sailing clubs that give emphasis to this mode of sail racing, often encouraging early participation amongst families. But, for many junior and youth sailors, the priority had been class, fleet racing, and others had come up to university with little or no racing experience of any kind or, indeed, of sailing even.
For those experiencing sailing, and team racing in particular, for the first time this can turn into an important way of life at university, even a sport that grips them. We spoke with two Birmingham team members at the Finals. Birmingham is one of several university sailing clubs (USCs) with a well-developed approach to learn-to-sail, 'social' or recreational sailing and development, integrating these in a club that engenders commitment, involvement and opportunity, for some even representing their university competitively.
Kirsten Gooderham, having done RYA Levels 1 & 2, sailed her Dad's Pico and had some holiday keelboat experience, was missing sport in her second year, thought about sailing and went from Freshers Fair to 'trials'. She found herself in the USC 'development squad' and, on Wednesday afternoons, being taught by Toni Duffy (one of Birmingham's competitive racers – a member of the 2014 national Ladies' Champion team) and her colleagues, who combine dinghy instructing with representing their university in the sport. It was "probably the best decision I have made at university", said Kirsten. "If I hadn't sailed, I guess I would just have hung out with friends, but this has got me away from university - even when it's cold, we keep coming back - and [speaking at the Nottingham Snakebite event in February] look at the Birmingham sailors – they are all on demanding courses, but give up time to teach, train and compete – really motivating". Whilst injured at the Snakebite and prevented from competing in the Ladies' Championships, Kirsten was back for the BUSA Finals: "I was delighted to be able to make it to Finals after being out on injury for several weeks and, as my last opportunity to race with my team in University, I was determined to make it! It was a fantastic few days, both on and off the water, and a brilliant way to end my years at university; we managed to get some great sailing in, and I couldn't be more proud of my team for making it to Finals. Although it may be my last BUSA competition, I already have plans to sail in Birmingham's alumni team racing event, 'The Old Joe', in June as part of the old boys' team!"
Her teammate, Adrien Peirce, spent his graduation year at Birmingham, on exchange from Sciences Po, the Paris university for political sciences....and learnt team racing too, culminating in sailing for the team at the Finals. With a background in recreational sailing on Corsica, and his only competitive (fleet) racing experience at a couple of Laser 4000 Europeans, he arrived in Birmingham and decided to go to 'trials' to find out more. He told us that it was "a fantastic experience. Team Racing is a totally different dimension. It involves co-operation, tactics, helping each other....amazing! My sailing has improved". His father may be particularly proud; he reached the 1989 BUSA Finals, representing Manchester University. It seems both of them are looking forward to sailing at the "Old Joe", Birmingham's answer to the post exam hiatus....and "getting old boys [and girls, surely] back into alumni teams".
Friday (Day 2) had more beautiful sunshine. After a glassy welcome, the wind kicked in, so that racing (Race 65) started by 10.15. By shortly after 11.00 and with Race 75 underway, BUSA Sean was reporting, "we have a good breeze out on the water now, testing a few teams!" By 12.30, the Oxford 'Media Team' were tweeting: "Champagne Sailing". By 12.45, Round 7 (98 races) was complete, with Cambridge Blue leading the board. Less than an hour later, Round 8, described by BUSA Tom as "the key round for the Swiss League", was in the bag, and the rounds kept posting at under hourly intervals. At 15.36, BUSA Sean interrupted the constant blogging on races to say "Somebody turned on the rain....", but this blew through fairly quickly, though the wind reduced. By 17.00: "Teams are getting tired and fatigued, and this is where one slip of concentration can lose you the Championship", but the banter from those following the blog was growing – "following this is so much better then studying for exams!" Race 173, which nearly saw hosts Nottingham out of the running, finished with BUSA Tom's blog: "Protest on the line, and Newcastle have spun! Newcastle have clutched defeat from the jaws of victory! The dream is back on for Nottingham!" With Round 13 just completed, racing finished for the day by 18.00. Black ties and frocks tonight!
We caught up with some of the Northern Universities' sailors. Jessica Kilbride, Commodore of Newcastle, said sailing and involvement in the sailing club had "enhanced my university career phenomenally. It lets you travel around the country, socially good, meeting your own uni sailors and others – great friends. I had sailed club toppers, but stopped for 6th form. I signed up at freshers for the welcome BBQ at South Shields SC; then 2 days of try-out. Two girls went and stuck with it. In my 2nd year, I joined the Committee as Treasurer, and then Commodore in my 3rd year – gained experience with running accounts, taking the lead, chairing meetings. Doing Economics & Business, this is all good for my CV. On the social side – living with five sailors helped. And at Newcastle, we have our own yacht, shared with the University Marine School, but we maintain it. Sailing it at weekends, and then a weekend in Scotland, living on a chartered boat".
Emily Wride, a fresher at Durham said, "I was a summer, club sailor on Ullswater, learnt to sail and became an instructor for children in July & August. Went to the freshers fair and then trials; some dropped out in the development squad, so I was called in as a crew. Good to have weekends outside (even if winter!), not sat at desk". And she is at Finals in her first year. Colleague Rebecca Eno (a 4th year, but signed up for a PhD) said, "I did a little sailing in holidays on my aunt's boat as a child, but rowed competitively at school and then at university, until I had to stop on medical grounds. Taught rowing as a vacation job in the USA, but ended up teaching sailing!". On return to Durham for her third year, "I emailed the sailing club – can I come? Attended pre-season team training before term. First timer, never raced. Was on the 2nd team, but several sailors quit. Now sailing at Finals for the first team. Needed a new sport. This was different. Just kept doing it. Became Club Secretary. I would recommend it – something else to do, different group of people".
On Saturday morning. a front went through around 9am, but by 09.30 Race 183 – Cambridge Blue vs Ireland - was in sequence; Ireland suffered the inevitable from a capsize and gear failure, to assure Cambridge Blue the first win of the day and Round 14 in the bag. Racing continued apace, with some building wind and growing tensions toward the end of Round 17, which completed with Race 183 by 13.00.
There was to be audio commentary coverage from the Quarters onwards (bandwidth allowing), and the Notts County deck and the grass slopes below were packed with sailors, friends, relatives and Club members following the action and guided by the tannoy commentary. They were presented with exciting, 'vintage team racing'.
The most dramatic turn in the Quarter Finals was in Race 242 – the first Loughborough vs Ireland race. An Irish capsize on the line and a Black Flag set everyone, watching on shore and afar on the internet, in quite a spin. It became apparent that there was an umpires' discussion in progress, Then the news came that two Loughborough boats had voluntarily retired from the race. Apparently a Loughborough boat had come from astern, luffed the Ireland boat in such a way that it forced a capsize. A further race would be sailed. The blog broke out with: "Credit to the Loughborough team for their actions today." "Great sportsmanship! What uni sailing is all about." "If Loughborough don't get an award at the dinner tonight for sportsmanship there's something wrong! Fair play to them!" Two further races proceeded, with further very close sailing, and Loughborough earned a place in the semis, with BUSA Tom remarking: "vintage team racing!" At the eventual prize giving, the BUSA President made particular reference to the Loughborough sportsmanship that had been shown.
The two semi finals were taken by Cambridge Blue and Oxford Blue from Loughborough and Cambridge Yellow respectively, setting up for a final between the old adversaries. In the Petit Final, Loughborough went to the wire to finally win 3rd place in the Championship. The final was everything one could want of a nail-biting dual to the end of the fifth race, which Cambridge Blue took to retain the title for 2015.
As competitors and the afternoon's audience gathered for the prize giving, several gave their verdict on the Championship. Emily Robertson, Glasgow's Ladies' Captain and Scottish Student Sailing's Dinghy Captain-elect, commented: "It is really good to have this event in the Midlands. It has been very well organised, Pauline [Notts County's catering supremo] and her food were great. The sailing was challenging in the shifts. We really enjoyed the socials!"
Cian O'Regan, Captain of UCCs team, the Irish Champions at the Intervarsities at Schull in West Cork (in which Glasgow and Loughborough had competed this year), said: "Thanks to Nottingham for running a very high quality event". Emphasizing Cian's comment, another UCC team member, Aidan McLaverty (a member of the UCD team that came 3rd in the 2012 BUSA Championship at West Kirby) added: "It is good to see such a high quality of racing each year. It will be great if even more UK teams can come to Irish Universities' Sailing Association (IUSA) events".
Tom Harrison, Southampton Black and BUSA Committee member, said, "Great. Got through all the races. Personally, I like the Swiss League, keeps up the tension all the way. There was a good spirit from beginning to end. Socials were fun. Nottingham had it all covered. They even helped out with places to stay, and Notts County was a great venue".
The overall results of the Championships, together with the leading teams, are scheduled at the bottom of this report and may be found on the BUSA website. In addition to the award of the Thompson Trophy to the Champions, Cambridge Blue, BUCS medals were presented to all the podium sailors. Coveted BUCS points were won by the top eight teams to carry home to their Sailing Clubs and Athletics Unions. What do BUCS points mean? BUCS points mean funding! So, the following BUCS points are awarded:
Top 8 teams: BUCS Points
- Cambridge Blue 50
- Oxford Blue 35
- Loughborough 24
- Cambridge Yellow 16
- Durham Purple 14
- Cambridge Pink 12
- Southampton Red 10
- Cardiff 8
Cambridge Sailing Captain, Tom Maxwell, Ladies' Captain, Francine Counsell and BUSA Committee member. Josh Flack were still bouncing after the prize giving. "Fantastic event; organization unbelievable. Just as intensive, if not more so, than previous BUSAs. Nice to compete with such high quality teams; racing was really close all the way through to the finals - really good watching too". Tom added, thoughtfully, "brilliant to see the fruition of all the hard work of Josh, Arthur Henderson and our Commodore, Tim Palmer".
Phil Derry of Oxford Green and retiring BUSA Chairman summed up: "It has been a fantastic event. Nottingham and Ed Parnell's team have done an unbelievable job to give us three days of racing. The standard has been as high, or higher, in my seventh BUSA, as it was in my first (which we won!). Many thanks to Notts County Sailing Club for being so accommodating. It is good to see the level of interest in the event and the continuous commentary, both on the Race Control blog on the website and on social media by the various teams, a great step forward from seven years ago!
"As outgoing Chairman, it is quite an emotional event, but I have had a great time with BUSA, both as a competitor and as a Committee member. I hope to see BUSA go from strength to strength in the years to come".
BUSA wish to pay particular tribute to the Race Officials, Umpires, and the Race Control team, to the hosts, the University of Nottingham Sport Sailing Club, including their Event Director, Ed Parnell and its many volunteers and to the officers of Notts County Sailing Club, who were in constant, but unobtrusive support throughout.
Results:
Quarter Finals:
Cambridge Blue 2 - 0 Southampton Red
Oxford Blue 2 - 0 Cambridge Pink
Cambridge Yellow 2 - 0 Durham Purple
Ireland 1 - 2 Loughborough
Semi Finals:
Cambridge Blue 2 - 0 Loughborough
Oxford Blue 2 - 0 Cambridge Yellow
Petit Final:
Cambridge Yellow 0 - 2 Loughborough
Final:
Cambridge Blue 3 - 2 Oxford Blue
Overall results summarized:
- Cambridge Blue - Arthur Henderson & Tom Maxwell, Tim Gratton & Hannah Bibby, Josh Flack & Francine Counsell
- Oxford Blue - Tom Steavenson, & Edward Scallan, Ben Gratton & Benjamin Rahemtulla, Sam Jenkins & Charlotte Rapson
- Loughborough - Connor Miller & Amelia Gibbons, Michael Matthews & Eleanor Margetts, James Wilson & Katie Barr
- Cambridge Yellow - Hugo Sloper & John Farley, Robbie Gilmore & Stephanie MacAulay, Christopher Eames & Rachel Tilley
- UCC Ireland - Cian O'Regan & Eimear O'Leary, Aidan McLaverty & Niamh Connolly, Ross Murray & Dave Healy
- Durham Purple - Guy Dixon & Charlotte Lennox, Chuan Yang Ko & Elizabeth Ellison, Ian Cook & Megan Smith
- Cambridge Pink - Bryan Ormond & Esther Sidebotham, James Pinder & Helmi Burton-Papp, Josh Adams & George Hopes
- Southampton Red - Hannah Jones & Nick Upton, Ian Gill & Millie Alcock, Mary Henderson & Lucy Lowe
- Cardiff - Harry Derbyshire & Emily Wiltshire, Matthew Wallis & Jolyon Ferron, Henry McLaughlin & Tom Hammond
- Oxford Green - Joe Gough & Lazar Liebenberg, Phil Derry & Kate Simmons, Allison Maher & Jonathan Taylor
- Southampton Pink
- Southampton Black
- Exeter Blue
- Liverpool
- Bristol
- Exeter Black
- Nottingham
- Edinburgh
- Swansea
- Newcastle
- Manchester
- Warwick
- Plymouth
- Strathclyde Blue
- Birmingham
- Glasgow
- Strathclyde White
- Durham Black
Full results may be found here..
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