Gonzaga College Win Breezy Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships

13th March 2022

Afloat.ie Team

The winning Gonzaga College Leinster Team racers pictured after racing with event organisers at the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire

Eight teams with varied experience competed with Royal St. George organisers delighted to welcome new schools to the annual Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships at Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Racing in Firefly dinghies, the inter-schools match again proved very competitive.

Teams entered from St. Gerards, Blackrock College, Gonzaga, St. Andrews, St. David's/Holy Faith and Colaiste Rathlin.

Going into the knockouts, Gonzaga College and St. Andrew's College 1 were tied on four points, Andrews 2 on 3 points and St. Davids/Holy Child on 2 points.

In the first of the semi-finals between Gonzaga v St. Davids/Holy Child, Gonzaga won by two clear points.

St. Andrews 1 v St. Andrews 2 proved to be a more highly contested semi. St. Andrews 2 took the first race. The second race was very close, and it was on the last leg that St. Andrews 1 managed to take control close to the finish line and earn a win.

The third race once again was very close. Unfortunately, St. Andrews 2 had a capsize, which enabled St. Andrews 1 to take their second win and a place in the finals.

In the final, Gonzaga took control of race one at the start line and with a display of some exceptional team racing tactics covering their opponents, they eased to a comfortable win.

Unfortunately, with wind strength suddenly increasing, race 2 had to be abandoned just after the start and competitors were safely escorted to shore.

Leinster Schools Team Racing Championships Round Robin scoresheet was split into Gold and Silver. This was done when the competition completed 50% of the Round Robin.

According to event director Eunice Kennedy, a decision was made to return the Silver fleet ashore. The fleets were experiencing intermittent gusts, and conditions were becoming too trying for the sailors as they had not done any training before the event.

Colaiste Raithlin entered the event with zero experience of team racing, thoroughly enjoyed it and said they want to continue it in the future, Kennedy told Afloat.

Published in Team Racing, RStGYC, Dun Laoghaire Harbour News

Published in Team Racing

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Team Racing

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About Team Racing

Team racing in sailing is an exciting, strategy-focused format where two teams, usually with three boats each, compete to achieve the best combined score by the end of the race. Unlike fleet racing, where individual performance matters most, team racing emphasises teamwork, tactics, and boat positioning to outmanoeuvre the opposing team.

Each team typically has three boats, often two-person dinghies like the Firefly class. The boats from each team are distinguished by their unique sail colours or numbers.

Points are assigned to finishing positions, with 1 point for 1st place, 2 points for 2nd place, and so on. The team with the lowest combined score wins. The target is to achieve a "winning combination" of points. In a six-boat race (three per team), winning combinations include scores like 10 points or less for a 1-2-6 or a 2-3-5 finish.

Teams can slow down or block opposing boats, especially in an advantageous position. A boat ahead can "cover" an opponent, manoeuvring to block the wind and slow them down.

Teams often employ manoeuvres to help slower boats catch up or pass opponents, switching positions if needed. This keeps the team in a winning configuration.

At key turning points, boats can execute mark traps, where they intentionally slow down or position themselves to block opponents, forcing them into bad turns or causing them to lose speed.

Team racing follows standard sailing rules but with some additions tailored to team tactics. For example, a "fouling" boat (one that breaks a rule) must complete a penalty turn or even multiple turns, depending on the rule violation. Penalty management is crucial as it can make or break a team's success in the race.

Constant communication is key as team members coordinate strategies, adjust for wind shifts, and adapt to changes in the race. They signal intentions, warn of opponents' moves, and ensure every team member’s position is optimized.

In short, team racing combines fast-paced sailing with strategic teamwork. While speed is essential, winning often depends more on positioning, communication, and the ability to execute effective tactics as a team.