Action in the UK IslandStats.com The culmination of a year of training and competition, through Qualifiers, Scottish Leagues and Playoffs, involving 500 sailors in teams from 36 universities, 168 of the elite of British University team racers came to Strathclyde Loch, hosted by the University of Strathclyde Sailing Club, for the Finals of the 60th British Universities and Colleges Sport Team Racing Championships (BUCS) 2014.
The event was organized by the British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA), in conjunction with Strathclyde USC. Jason and Jordan Saints represented Exeter University, the Saints sailed the Exeter Black boat in the Regatta.
There were three days of intense competition during which the 28 university teams sailed hundreds of races in a league system, leading to quarters, semis and finals on a brilliant last day of team racing. Hard fought, and gripping to the very end for the spectators and the hundreds following the event commentaries on-line.
Cambridge Blue emerged as Champions, having been taken to the full five races in the Finals by 2013 Champions, Bristol Red. In the Petit Final, Oxford Blue won the final race to take the 3rd place in the Championships, with Exeter Black in 4th.
Throughout the early rounds it was clear that Bristol Red were going to be the team to beat, going undefeated over the first two days of competition. Other teams were close behind. Oxford Blue, Cambridge Blue and Exeter Black all performed well throughout the league and managed to secure themselves a spot in the knock out stages.
In the knock out stages the format is simple - the first to two wins goes to the next stage. There were some interesting matches thrown up, with local derbies and rivalries taking centre stage. But Bristol Red, Oxford Blue, Cambridge Blue and Exeter Black, who had led the league throughout the event, prevailed and went through into the semi finals. The first Semi-Final saw Bristol comfortably defeat Exeter Black in two straight races to book their place in the Final.
The Petit Final saw a battle for 3rd place between Oxford Blue and Exeter Black. In race 1 the fleet split up, with four boats taking the right side of the course and the other two battling it out on the left of the course. At the windward mark Oxford were in control, positioned in 1,2,5. At the leeward mark Exeter managed to sneak into 1st place, but still left Oxford in control. Up the beat to the finish Oxford made the most of the gusts and pulled back 1st place, winning the race on the line.
In race 2 Oxford again took the lead at the windward mark, having a comfortable 1,2,4. However, one of the Oxford boats received a 720o spin at mark 2, which allowed one of the Exeter boats to sail way ahead in 1st place. Oxford just could not keep up with Exeter’s pace, who were positioned in 1,2,6 up the final beat to the finish.
On the line Exeter took a comfortable 1st place, and an the overall race win.
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