Trinity Sailing Team Win at Queens University Alumni Team Racing Event

27th May 2023

Afloat.ie Team

Emily Arrowsmith (crew), Finn Walker (helm), Trinity Sailing Team, preparing for the next race of the Queens University Alumni Team Racing Event

The annual alumni team racing event hosted by Queens University took place on the 20th of May. The event brought together eight teams consisting of past and present students from Queens University but Trinity College and UCD were also invited to participate. Ballyhome provided perfect conditions for team racing with a steady 12-knots while the rest of the country suffered from a lack of wind.

Throughout the event, over 50 races took place, showcasing the teams' skills and strategies. During the round-robin phase, Trinity demonstrated their sailing expertise by finishing top of the table. Their coordinated efforts and smart tactics quickly established them as a strong team.

In the semi-finals, Trinity faced-off against UCD in a closely-fought battle. Both teams displayed their sailing abilities, but Trinity's strategic choices and decision-making ultimately led them to success, securing their place in the final.

Luke Donagh (crew), Tim Norwood (helm), Trinity, at the Queens University Alumni Team Racing Event

The Queens 1st team prepared for a thrilling showdown against the unbeaten Trinity sailing team. An aggressive start line led to hails of protest from both teams. Splitting either side of the first beat, it was hard to tell which team was leading. There were multiple place changes throughout the race (with manoeuvres called pass-backs). Ultimately, Trinity's consistent performance and smart tactics paid off, as they emerged as the overall winners crossing the line with a 1,2,3 combination.

As the Queens University Alumni Team Racing Event drew to a close, it marked the end of a thrilling season for university sailing. The event provided a fitting finale, bringing together talented teams from UCD, Trinity, and Queens for one last exhilarating showdown on the water.

The winning Trinity College team (from left to right); Tim Norwood, Emily Arrowsmith, Madison O’Conaill, Finn Walker, Luke Donagh and Henry Higgins

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.