Academy report

Report by Pippa Girling

Event: Cambridge Cup Hosted by Cambridge University at Grafham Water

Format: Dinghy team racing in fireflies

"The Royal Thames Team Racing team enjoyed another successful event in Cambridge on the 6th and 7th March. In the run up to the UK Team Racing Association Nationals, the Cambridge Cup proved good practice, playing host to several experienced graduate teams among the field of University teams with a  total of sixteen entrants.

Fortunately, the rain which began Saturday cleared up in time for the first start and it turned into a bright, cold day with a pleasant 12-14 knots of breeze. The event was run on a new basis, which had been previously trialled at Team Racing Youth Events this year. Instead of the usual round robin system, teams did not have to sail everyone, but after 80 races on the first day were sorted into leagues based on number of wins. This allowed the race organisers more flexibility and control over when to start and finish each day.

Royal Thames finished the first day with only one loss, to a British Universities Sailing team.  This meant a place in the gold league on the second day, another bright day with light breezes. After two losses, the team was placed third going into the semi-finals. Royal Thames were drawn against the eventual event winners, West Kirby, in the semi-finals, eventually losing 2 races to 1 in a closely fought semi-final. West Kirby went on to beat Exeter university in the finals.

Despite not reaching the finals on this occasion, the team were pleased with a solid performance and particularly with the benefit of some close racing in preparation for the nationals in a couple of weeks, which will be held at West Kirby."