Niall McLeod, on behalf of the BUSA Playoffs Organising Committee of the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Sailing Clubs, writes:
“14 teams from the length and breadth of the UK assembled at Bardowie Loch to battle it out for the final 8 places at this year’s BUCS/BUSA Team Racing Championships. The Championship Finals will be held at West Kirby Sailing Club over Easter.
“Saturday was described as ‘challenging’ for all involved. The wind was pretty light to start, but in true Bardowie-style, it filled in (gradually swinging round to make the Course Manager’s job just that wee bit more difficult) until the gusts were making the sailing conditions pretty testing. Fortunately, our team of helpers were on the ball and were able to deal swiftly with all the ‘hiccups’. After a late start (thanks to Sheffield not showing up!), we eventually managed to get through 60 races, and Southampton Lilac were winning at the end of the day.
“Although Bardowie was perfectly glassy when the helpers showed up on the Sunday, the breeze quickly filled in to a more manageable level than yesterday, and the sun came out. Racing was able to start at the estimated half 9, and we were finished by half 12.
After several tie-breaks, the results stood as:
1st Cambridge Yellow 84.62% win Qualify for Finals
2nd Oxford White 76.92% win Tie break for 2nd place
3rd Southampton Lilac 76.92% win
4th Exeter Red 69.23% win Tie break for 4th place
5th London Purple 69.23% win
6th Cardiff Red 53.85% win
7th Birmingham Blue 46.15% win * Tie break for 7th place
8th Durham Red 46.15% win **
9th Lancaster Red 46.15% win ***
10th Dundee Red 38.46% win
11th Bath Yellow 30.77% win Tie break for 11th place
12th Manchester Purple 30.77% win
13th Edinburgh White 15.38% win Tie break for 13th place
14th Oxford Red 15.38% win
* – 19 points when tied teams met
** – 21 points when tied teams met
*** – 23 points when tied teams met
“As for the legendary ceilidh, we were very impressed that about ten of the English teams braved it, and that everyone there had a go. Everyone had a great time and, to quote Birmingham, “it was the best sailing social we’ve had all year!”
“Thanks to all the helpers, umpires, the Race Officer, the CCC, our sponsors Red Bull and to everyone who came all the way up to Scotland to make this event a success”.