University College Dublin took first place at the Scottish University Championships, adding an overseas victory to the sailing club’s achievements this season.
The Scottish University Sailing Association (SUSA) Championships, hosted by University of Strathclyde Sailing Club, took place last weekend 19th-21st March. Three Irish teams – one from UCD and two representing University of Limerick, travelled over to compete in the team racing event, with the hopes of seeking some form of payback after a team from Edinburgh came to Ireland and won the Irish University (IUSA) Championships last month.
Racing took place at Bardowie Loch, outside Glasgow. With strong winds cancelling racing on Friday, and light winds forecast for the next two days, it was looking doubtful on Saturday morning that the event would be able to get underway. Luckily a small breeze filled in over the loch later that afternoon allowing racing to get started to the relief of all involved, especially the Irish.
UCD did well in the pool stages of their round robin, winning all their races on Saturday and coming ashore having qualified for the gold fleet the next day. Favourable breeze on Sunday allowed the rest of the racing to continue, with a second round robin taking place before the knock out stages commenced.
The first best of three semi-finals saw UCD face SUSA Old Boys, with Edinburgh B and Glasgow competing in the second. A series of gear failure led for a dramatic series of events and tight racing in the semi final races for the UCD team – a redress was granted on the first race when a shroud broke on one of their boats, and despite a rudder falling off a boat in their next race they managed a 2-0 win over the Scottish team, and a place in the finals against Edinburgh.
While the Scots had victory on the rugby pitch in Croke Park, this would not be the case on the waters of Bardowie Loch. Two race wins in the best of three final saw the Irish team defeat the Edinburgh side with winning combinations 123 and 125, allowing UCD return to Ireland with a first place win at the event, and Scottish Champions title.
The team thank all involved in the running of the event especially the host University of Strathclyde, the umpires and race management. It has been a number of years since a UCD Sailing team have gone abroad to compete in an event, but with the good racing, great socials and welcoming hospitality of the Scottish Universities it is an experience they will be keen to repeat again.
UCD Team: 1st – Simon Doran/Christine Lynch, George Kenefick (CIT)/Sharon Quigley Andrew O’Donoghue/Katie Curtin
