The BUSA-ICSA Tour 2019 will take place over 16 days along the East coast of the United States and just like previous years, the winners will be decided through five different Trophy events. The Tour is a challenge between Inter-Collage Sailing Association (ICSA) and the British University Sailing Association (BUSA). Competitors race in five different trophy events, before an overall champion is announced. The team fly out on the 7thof September, returning on the 22nd.
The BUSA-ICSA tour has been a bi-annual event taking place for the last three decades and has included some big names in the sailing world. BUSA will be travelling to the United States to compete in a variety of sailing disciplines; everything from team racing to keelboat racing, aimed totest the sailors abilities and range of skills.
The Tour will start in Boston with the first two trophy events: the first being a ‘classic Vs’ three boat team racing event in the Firefly dinghy which is BUSAs primary team racing class. The second trophy event will be a keelboat match race.
The team then heads south to Annapolis for the next two trophy events. These consist of another match race and team race event. However, this time the teams will be competing in Laser Dinghies. The final trophy event sees the sailors head to the big capital Washington DC for a team racing event held in z420’s which are ICSAs chosen team racing class.
During the tour the British team will also compete in several ICSA fleet and mixed discipline racing events including a womens event held in Massachusetts.
Many renowned sailors have taken part in the BUSA tour over the years including Ian Walker, who is now the Director of Racing for the British Sailing Team. Ian participated in the 1991 tour and kindly gave us some insight into his experience; “I am still friends with people I met on the 1991 BUSA US tour. I learnt so much by sailing with different people in different boats and venues. As a life experience the 1991 BUSA Tour was off the charts!” He also believed university sailing and its associated events were a huge part in him going on to become a top sailor, representing the UK on multiple occasions.
The BUSA Squad for the 2019 Tour was announced in April and includes nine male and female sailors from EditEditUniversities all across the country. First in the line up, we have Matthew Whitfield from the University of Southampton. Matt currently participates mostly in team racing and mach racing but over the last several years has been gaining precious hours of keel boat training and racing. Matthew has been on the winning team at the BUSA Team Racing and Match Racing finals, whilst also being selected for the BUSA team at the Wilson Trophy.
The team also includes Sophie Taylor, from the university of Strathclyde. Sophie has been sailing since she was eleven years old when her parents purchased an Optimist for her to sail on the Scottish circuit. Throughout her time at university she has seen great success sailing Fireflies and has been sailing for the Scottish Student Sailing (SSS) league for the last three years, culminating in her being selected for the SSS National Squad competing at several international events
Jack Hanslope from the University of Exeter has had an excellent sailing career, competing in many team racing event across the country with great results. His university sailing highlight was helming on the winning team at the 2019 BUSA Team Racing Championships. He has also seen success in the laser class over the years.
Looking very dapper in his wetsuit and commodores cap is Robbie King, current captain of the University of Cambridge sailing team. He has impeccable sailing credentials, rising through the Optimist and 420 ranks to become 420 National Champion. He has twice reached the final of the BUSA Team Racing Championships and seen further recent success on the national Match Racing and RS200 circuit.
Murray Hampshire is next in the line up. He is another representative from the University of Exeter and another star from the Optimist fleet. Murray has competed internationally in various disciplines of sailing and many different classes including 29ers. Since joining university, Murray has seen great success leading to him being the most successful BUSA sailor in 2019, topping the podium in every discipline offered. He will be an invaluable asset to the team.
Joe Burns once again started in optimists, soon being selected for the GBR national squad and placing in the top five at most major events over his years competing. Following a 6thplace at Braassermermeer, Joe was selected for the 2011 worlds. He then moved into 420s, with several high performances. Since then Joe has continued to improve his sailing skills placing highly on BUSA’s match racing and team racing circuit.
Another high-flyer from the University of Exeter is crew, Emma Baker. Emma started sailing in Optimists with great success and since joining the sailing cub at university, she has seen success in many team racing events including the Oxford Magnum, the Bristol Brew and the Western Qualifiers. Her greatest achievement has been winning the BUSA Team Racing Championships this year
Morgan Dibb from the University of Southampton is one of those sailors who lives and breathes the sport. She has been sailing since the age of five and at age eleven she had won the Optimist inlands. Morgan moved to 420s aged 14 and was selected to represent Team GB at World championship level in 2012 (Austria), 2013 (Spain), and 2014 (Germany). At university she has been on her universities first team in team racing and yacht racing, with both teams going on to be very successful.
The final member of the BUSA Tour 2019 is , who sailed for the University of Oxford’s team racing and match racing first team. She placed in the top 15 at the 420 ISAF Youth World Championships twice and since joining university she has won the BUSA/RYA Ladies Nationals, represented her university at several varsity matches and reached the final rounds of the BUSA Team Racing Championships.
We wish all nine members of the BUSA team participating in the tour 2019 every success and will provide regular updates of their progress throughout their time away. For updates, follow our facebook page and Instagram; both under the handle @BUSAMedia.
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