Post date: Jul 7, 2010 5:19:57 PM
The Oxford v Cambridge sailing match, organised by the Royal Lymington YC, was sailed in RS Elites in the western Solent on 2 & 3 July. The conditions throughout were perfect with bright sunshine and a south-westerly breeze aligned with the current. The open teams sailed 3 boats a side with helms swapping each race whilst the ladies teams sailed 2 boats a side. Both matches were to be the best of 7 races.
In the open match the racing was very close and the teams won alternate races on the first day. Whilst all the sailors were unfamiliar with the Elites, some had little experience of the strong Solent currents which caused several problems with both teams suffering from poor starts and difficult windward mark roundings. However, everyone seemed happy with the 2-2 overnight score line. In the ladies match Cambridge had no answer to the speed and skills of the Oxford helms who won the first 3 races. The sailors and umpires then retired to the Club for subsidised Fullers beer and an excellent BBQ.
On day 2 the umpires needed to tow the boats down the river but the wind arrived without a postponement being necessary. In the first race of the open match Oxford appeared still asleep and had no trouble starting 5th and 6th; race over. They were only a little better in the next race with Cambridge arriving 1st and 2nd at the first mark; however the second Cambridge boat made a mess of the rounding against the strong current and, almost instantly, Oxford were through to a winning 2 3 4 combination. Cambridge then sailed a little faster on the run and, in a critical leeward mark call, the umpires penalised an Oxford boat for going inside when clear astern at the zone. Although Cambridge were also penalised later, for hailing for room to tack and then not tacking themselves, they managed to hold on to their lead and seal the match by 4 races to 2. In the first ladies race, one Cambridge boat was penalised on the start line and that was that; 4-0 to Oxford.
On behalf of all sailors and umpires, our thanks for the running an excellent event go to the Chief Race Officer Chalky White and his race team, particularly the super efficient mark-layers, to Sarah Fraser for providing the mother ship and, with her colleagues, looking after everyone so well and to Kevin Podger and the Club staff for great service ashore.
Report by
Richard Thompson