This weekend saw the return of the eagerly anticipated KPMG Brummy Bender team racing event. 21 university teams from across the country descended upon Birmingham for an epic weekend of team racing. After weeks of preparation, and an interesting trip to Broad Street, 6:45am on Saturday finally arrived, and the Birmingham members were off to Bartley Sailing club to rig boats.
A good breeze meant racing got underway well in near perfect team racing conditions, with strong performances coming from Newcastle, Bath, Nottingham Old Boys and Cambridge. The wind lightened in the afternoon, but by sundown the first leagues had been completed. The teams were all given an introduction to our famous Selly Oak curry houses on Saturday evening, thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Sunday was more of a light wind affair. Separated into Gold silver and bronze leagues by the previous days results, racing slowly got underway on a shortened course. In dropping wind, the second round robin had to be cut short to begin an extended knockout to get a winner. Newcastle, Bath, Cambridge and Nottingham Old Boys all came through to semi finals, with Bath and Cambridge becoming finalists. Bath took a convincing win for the first of three race final. However, it was Cambridge who would bounce back with some excellent starts in the shifty wind conditions to win the final two races, and become KPMG Brummy Bender 2008 champions. Newcastle took third place in a very closely contested playoff race against Nottingham Old Boys. The sailing club would like to thank KPMG for their sponsorship.