Nail Biter at the Southern

April 06, 2007 07:27 0 comments

“There are few student championships that can rival this any where in the world, I have coached many of these highly talented sailors and the standard of boat handling is very good indeed.”

Hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club
BUSA National Championships
2nd – 5th April 2007


Nail biting finish



“There are few student championships that can rival this any where in the world, I have coached many of these highly talented sailors and the standard of boat handling is very good indeed.”

Commented Olympic and world championship sailing coach, Jim Saltonstall during his daily debriefing to well over two hundred and forty competitors who were accommodated in the largest of the Royal Southern’s function rooms.

Students competing at the Royal Southern Yacht Club where highly impressed by the facilities provided for by House Manager Paul Ransome and his team. As Matt Greenfield competing for Bath University explained;

“I have to say the Club has made us really welcome from bacon rolls in the morning to a hot meal available in the bar straight after debrief. They even laid on a pool table for us, some of the lads even took advantage of the tables in the bar to catch up on course work!”



Three days of brisk north easterlies gusting over twenty knots provided for some challenging conditions on predominately windward leeward courses. Starts were tense and with thirty-one identical boats jockeying for position restarts were bound to happen. Chief Race Officer Tony Lovell

“We managed to keep disqualifications to a minimum through the use of the Z flag but also by running a committee boat down the start line to act as a deterrent to the over eager and a guide to the competitors of where the line actually was. I would add that the standard of racing was first class, we would be delighted to see these competitors back at the Club in the future.”

Whilst air temperatures were above the seasonal norm, sea temperatures were below nine degrees as Nicki Linscott found out. Shortly after hoisting the spinnaker downwind, the team from Brighton and Sussex University broached, propelling Linscott into the freezing water, luckily she was picked up almost immediately by a spectator RIB and Jury officer Philip Gage rushed to assist, fortunately Nicki was no worse for wear after her ordeal.

By the end of day three two teams had emerged as challengers for the British University title; Solent University helmed by Sam Pearson was in pole position but only two points ahead of Southampton University with Nick Cherry at the wheel. Guy Breary’s Southampton 2 team were in third and Hannah Stodel’s Loughborough team lead the chasing pack.

Going into the last day with two races scheduled the Southampton 1 team knew they would need to beat Solent B in both races to overhaul them. Clear blues skies and bright sunshine made for a beautiful view from the Royal Southern Yacht Club but the warm weather created a sea breeze which negated the gradient wind causing a postponement adding to the tension between the two leading boats, other competitors chose to amuse themselves during the delay with some hi-jinx including games of hide and seek and swimming the latter of which is not really advisable ask Nicki Linscott.



The Race committee managed to get one race in and it was high drama with the championship being decided on the last leg. Solent B led for most of the race but Southampton managed to get passed them on the last run. They were some distance ahead but winning the final race by a place was not going to win the regatta. So at the penultimate mark Southampton 1 lay in wait hoping to luff up Solent B and put two boats between them. You could cut the tension with a knife as the regatta moved to a dramatic conclusion but the trap failed as Solent B passed Southampton 1 who were unable to manoeuvre above a snails pace in the light conditions.

At the prize giving held at the Royal Southern Club House, Solent University were crowned BUSA National Champions winning the right to represent England at the World Championships in La Trinité later this year.

Solent trimmer Shane Hughes commented; “It has been a great regatta and obviously we are delighted to have won but there are some great sailors on the other teams and credit must go to them as well. The regatta also gives you the opportunity to sail with your mates and we have had a lot of laughs over the four days.”

The next racing event in an impressive and busy schedule at the Royal Southern Yacht Club is the Hamble Yarmouth Cup starting on the 24th April followed by the May regatta incorporating the J80 Southern Area Championships and Contessa 32 Class.

For more information visit the Royal Southern Yacht Club web site:
http://www.royal-southern.co.uk


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