If your name is Duncalfe and you are ex Oundle School, you probably dropped your buoyancy aid on the way to the car at the Bristol Brew. It will be at the Warwick Turtle. If you contact Umpire Nigel you can have it back.

The second BUSA Match Racing Qualifier held at Queen Mary SC using the J80's of the Royal Thames was an interesting event.

Winds gusted to over 30kts, there were black flags, umpires were puzzled by some of the tactics, there was more boat contact than expected. One J80 tried to climb the reservoir bank, the result of a riding turn on a winch and a lack of attention. This put a boat out of action for the day and meant a number of matches were missed on the Saturday.

Despite these problems a full round robin was completed (results below) and we even saw Spinakers used on the Sunday and some good Match Racing.

Photos can be viewed at http://www.photoboxgallery.com/NVPhoto/collection?album_id=1103288505

Skipper	Uni	RG	JG	JS	JA	DH	EM	AP	WS	DW	Total	Posn
Rob Gullan	Solent		0	1	0	1	1	1	1	1	6	2
James Goss	Bristol	1		1	1	1	0	1	1	1	7	1
Jason Saints	Exeter 1	0	0		1	1	0	0	0	0	2	9
James Anderson	Exeter 2	1	0	0		0	1	1	1	0	4	5
Dan Henderson	Portsmth	0	0	0	1		1	1	1	0	4	4
Ed Males	Soton	0	1	1	0	0		1	1	1	5	3
Andy Pinkham	UWE	0	0	1	0	0	0		0	1	2	8
Will Smyth	Warks	0	0	1	0	0	0	1		1	3	6
Dan Wray	Plymouth	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0		3	7

The RYA have organised an Umpire course on the Monday and Tuesday before BUSA (April 9-10).
The course can lead to Regional or National Qualifications - the on-water assessments can also be taken during BUSA. Cost is £75

The RYA and BUSA are offering some financial support for people who would like to do the course.

For full details Click Here

Bruce Hebbert writes:-

The Dutch team representing Batavia Haven the home of the Batavia Regatta stormed to victory in a 2-1 final against the host club Royal Thames A.

The Championship started in icy foggy conditions on Saturday, but by late morning there was enough wind to start the round robin. Sunday was blessed with perfect conditions for the J80’s which showed themselves as perfect vehicles for team racing, allowing the Race Officer David Arnold to complete the schedule and to run a best of three final.

The RYA Two Boat Keelboat Team Racing Championships sailed for the Royal Thames “Carmella Cup” attracted the maximum 8 entries,

Sailed in what is now called the “2K” Format developed in Holland, ie short courses without spinnakers saw quite spectacular tactical sailing. Virtually every race was only decided in the last few meters giving the umpire team led by Bernard Kinchin much to do and the spectators a view of some terrific sailing.

Amongst the spectators were representatives from Holland and Malta. Malta is keen to join what is fast becoming a major European sailing discipline. Next summer Poland and Italy and Ireland are hosting events in addition to Holland and England. Turkey and Scotland hope to join and although a little from Europe the Japanese have also indicated interest.

The Batavia Haven Team, winners of the Carmella Cup.  From left to right:-
Jurjen Feitsma, Maarten Innemee, Wilco Stavenuiter, Dirk Huizinga, Janneke Hin, Frans Hin