Without the usual B Teams it was decided that the second day would be devoted to a Random Pairs event, Race Officer Martin Smethers having found the list of schedules on this website. This ran very successfully with the winner being declared on 75% wins, as a result of the last race.

Photos can be seen if you Click Here

Saturday saw Schools gather for the BSDRA Thames Valley Championships at Maidenhead Sailing Club. Race Officer Paul had a very difficult day with the wind shifting well over 90 degrees on the occasions when it decided to blow. Despite this he managed to run 60 races under the HLS system before going to Semis and Finals.

The Semi Finals were sudden death with Sevenoaks 1 taking on MCS and winning in a very close finish while Sevenoaks 2 were beaten by Rugby 1. Sevenoaks 2 went on to beat MCS in the Peti-Final 2:0

The final was close, needing all three races to get a decision. Rugby looked to have it in the bag as they came into the last beat but their first boat was waiting out on the right of the beat and could not get back when the inevitable 120 degree windshift came through. Their boat in second place did their best but picked up a penalty at the finish giving the Sevenoaks team of Matthew Caiger, Annie Richards, Nick Davies, Edward Salmon, Cossie Lewis and Becky Caiger (photo right) the race and the event.

Full results are at http://events.ksail.co.uk/2018/BSDRAThamesValley/index.html  Photos can be seen Click Here

Meanwhile, up north at South Staffs SC The Old Joe was taking place. They also had trouble with the wind as it seemed to go very light on the Sunday, but they got through over 100 races. My informant thinks that a Birmingham team won with South Staffs SC second but I am still looking for the official results.

University sailors are wanted to join a Focus Group on Thursday, 14 June in central London.

BUSA, with the support of the RYA, is looking to review all of the activity and support that it offers to its member clubs and student sailors. To do this we will be running a focus group, hosted by former RYA Director of Racing, John Derbyshire, and RYA Coaching Development Manager, David Mellor. 

Their aims will be to get as much information from you, the student body, as to what you think BUSA should be doing and what resources it should be helping to provide. The day will be based at a location TBC, dependant on responses, in central London and will start at 1330, with the aim to be finished at 1700, so that most attendees should be able to get there and back in a day. 

We are looking to get as wide a viewpoint as possible. This is not just about racing, or cruising, or training, but all of the above and as much more as we can cover. We would like as many different viewpoints as possible in attendance. We may be limited in space so please do not be offended if we can’t accommodate you all. 

It should be noted that this is not just for current USC committee members; anyone involved in any university sailing is welcome to volunteer. It should be noted that BUSA is unable to help with travel costs for this event. 

Please fill in the following https://www.research.net/r/ZJNCK8W if you wish to attend.

 

The deadline is 12 noon this Friday 8th June. We will confirm invitations asap over the weekend.

What has been happening is that, those Universities which are organised, are getting their events into the calendar. October 27/28 looks to be quite busy with three university events scheduled already, Reading, Plymouth and Glasgow plus the NSSA Singlehanded Champs. Loughborough have the Lemming on December 1/2. 

Don't forget to send us your details or post them on the BUSA Facebook group.

Congratulations go to Rugby School who won the event, they were tied with MCS on 100% wins at the end of Stage 1 but came out ahead on points. In the Fevas RHS Pink, Oakham Black and Uppingham finished stage 1 on 100% wins with the points placing them in that order. Well done RHS Pink.

The photo on the left shows the West Kirby Hawks Team, winners of this prestigious trophy with club commodore John Burthem (they also won the little event for the fifth time, I understand) You can read all about that via Yachts and Yachting if you Click Here

Best Under 21 team at the little event were Magdalen College School members of the BSDRA. They finished 29th out of the 32 teams. The photo (right) is courtesy of James Unwin.

The Bank Holiday Monday saw the Surrey Spoon taking place, unfortunately, unlike the little event, they were not blessed with such good weather and after some fits of wind it was eventually decided that they could not achieve a result as the wind vanished completely.

Recently completed, is the Royal Thames Cumberland Cup. This bi-ennial 2 boat team racing event between clubs from around the world is held at Queen Mary SC using J80 keelboats. Full details can be seen if you Click Here. Royal Thames appear to be leading on 15 wins followed by New York Yacht Club with 12. They met in a first to three wins Final while Yale Corinthian and Southern YC did a best of three peti-final. I see that the host club, Royal Thames Yacht Club won the final.