for those of you who don't do facebook, you might have missed

Film of the Big Lash at West Kirby - from a drone!
http://vimeo.com/m/88805423 and the full results https://www.facebook.com/groups/busasailing/10152046811322149/

Alison Norbury reported on the London Duck via the BUSA Facebook page saying : "A Great day's racing on Saturday. We managed 81 races, and the current plan is to complete the round robin on Sunday morning and see where it takes us. Unfortunately, we do have a big hole in one boat, so there will probably be a hearing first thing. But, otherwise, all good at the Duck!
On Sunday morning the London Duck completed all 120 races of the round robin. In the afternoon they split the fleet into half and ran a series of knock out races to determine the overall standings. They finished with an Itchenor, Irish Alumni best of 3 final. Itchenor took the top prize of £600 of Summer Sail Week holiday vouchers beating the Irish Alumni 2:0. Thanks to all who came and made it a great event.

Manchester's Big Lash got off to a shaky start with average wind speeds of 25+ knots and gusts up to 38kts. The forecast told them to expect similar stuff all day, but at about 12.30 the wind started to drop to almost perfect conditions by 1330. The first start was at 1345 and by 17.30 they had sailed 64 races. They needed 20 more races to complete the round robin, which were expected to be done by 1030 on Sunday morning before splitting into leagues.
Seems that, like everyone, the Lash had to wait for the wind  but it did fill in and at the end of racing West Kirby won the Big Lash with Bristol Old Boys in 2nd, winning the Summer Sail Week £600 holiday vouchers. Magdalen College School finished in 3rd having beaten WK juniors. Huge thanks to West Kirby Sailing Club for all of their help and support in making the event successful in less than ideal weather conditions!

Excalibur Excalibur Organiser and Vice Commodore, Tamsin Davies reported that at 1600 Saturday they were still racing. One round robin had been completed, and gold, silver and bronze leagues were well underway. The hope was to sail 65 races by the end of today (20 races into the second round). The start was slow but, once racing, they got through the races quickly. 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 25. Wind was set to drop off for Sunday for the finish of the second round robin and moving into finals. Strong showing from Exeter in the gold league with two alumni teams and Exeter All-Stars making gold, along with Soton Black, Soton Blue and Plymouth Old Boys. Been very lucky with a beautiful sunny day in Devon!".
Sunday went well once the wind filled in. Portsmouth won the Silver league but could not beat Southampton Blue to qualify for the semis. In the semis Plymouth Old Boys beat Southampton Blue 2:1, while Exeter Alumni took Southampton Black 2:0  In the Final Plymouth Old boys beat Exeter Alumni 2:1 in a hard fought final to win the Excalibur and take the newly donated Richard Ward Trophy. Southampton Black were 3rd. Alumni had the event until a decision to resail the second race due to a race committee error with the X flag, very hard.

The Hallam Hangover on the 22nd/23rd March has a few spare spaces. It's a great event for some last minute practice before the BUSA finals, the Wilson trophy, or to give next year's new teams some practice ahead of the season. The Facebook event below has all the details (https://www.facebook.com/events/772416179440563/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming). The NoR and entry form can be found on our club website (http://www.shusailandwindsurf.co.uk/events/) Get in touch ASAP if you'd like to have a fantastic weekend!

Saturday things went slowly thanks to a lack of wind while on Sunday we were using cutdowns and hoping the weather did not get too bad.
Congratulations go to (in order): Cambridge Pink, Portsmouth Black, Durham Purple, Swansea Green, Plymouth Purple, Glasgow Black, Portsmouth Purple and Nottingham Pink. They make the Finals!

Playoff Photos are at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.607486479325561.1073741829.112803515460529&type=3

> Download a pdf of the Playoff Results

The RYA and BUSA Ladies Nationals were due to be sailed at West Kirby on the weekend. Jon Napier posted the results on Facebook at the end of Saturday showing Birmingham in the Lead from Bristol 1 and Cambridge Blue in third place.
On Sunday Adam Whittle from the Ladies Nats at West Kirby wrote "We completed 80% of races yesterday - everyone did 12 races". It seems that the Trophy was presented, so we should assume Birmingham, on basis of Jon Napier's post of results last night. Gusts of 42kts and webcam showing a very windy scene. (Which I can understand as my fast cat from Ireland was cancelled!)
Photos are at:-
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.259548730878938.1073741851.132081660292313&type=1

At the Nottingham Snakebite Loughborough beat Old Loughborough to clinch the Snakebite 2014, with Cambridge 1 and Bristol 1 close behind. Andy Kennet writes: “Days sailing finished at around 12:30 after the round robin in the separate fleets ended. It was blowing pretty hard towards the end but managed to squeeze in the last few races to a high standard. There were some very close races and the day ended with Loughborough beating Loughborough old to clinch top of the gold fleet.
Eventually, there was too much wind to finalise the day with semis and finals so first place went to Loughborough. This was closely followed by Cambridge 1 and Bristol 1 (who actually beat Loughborough earlier on in the day). Overall the weekend went very smoothly and we saw some very good standard racing even considering the testing conditions”

Trinity College Dublin are hosting an invitational trophy on the 15 and 16th of March in the Royal St.George Yacht Club. The event is capped to 14 entries and there is already large interest from teams from top Uk and Irish Universities along with some senior teams. The entry fee is €60 per person and will also include a gala dinner on the Saturday night. Please register your teams interest at sailing@trinitysailing.com by the 25th of February. Entry forms and notice of races will then be sent out to selected teams. Forms must be returned with entry fees and damage deposits by the 5th of March.

Further details can be found on the Facebook page-https://www.facebook.com/events/513118592136449/?fref=ts