Trinity Sailing Hosts 11th Annual Alumni Racing Event

10th August 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Trinity Alumni winners 24/25 (left to right) Russel Bolger, Trevor Bolger, Conor Lynch, Kat Grogen, Finn Walker, Tim Norwood

Dublin University Sailing Club (DUSC) is set to host their 11th Team Racing Alumni event on the 15th of November in the Royal St George Yacht Club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay.

Following a record-breaking year with 18 teams entered and over 50 races, the bar has certainly been set high. DUSC are pushing to build on the eight Alumni teams they welcomed last year with the goal of hosting even more Alumni on the water. "Events like this show how sport can bridge generations, uniting everyone in a day of thrilling races and good-natured rivalry," Finn Walker, a DUSC 24/25 Captain, told Afloat.

Dublin University Sailing Club (DUSC) is set to host their 11th Team Racing Alumni event on the 15th of November in the Royal St George Yacht Club

The event will feature traditional 3v3 team racing in the classic Firefly, followed by a black tie dinner and boogie, with all volunteers and entrants welcome!

This event unites current and former TCD sailors for a day of friendly competition and good fun, both on and off the water. It remains one of the most anticipated events on the TCD sailing calendar — full of laughs, rivalries, and great sailing. We look forward to welcoming everyone as we continue our momentum towards the 100th anniversary of TCD Sailing", Harry Twomey, the DUSC 25/26, said.

With last year's event being won by a team of current students, the challenge goes out to all Alumni to dethrone them and take the trophy home for the teams of Trinity gone by!

Entries will open soon, with all information available on the Trinity Sailing Instagram account (@trinitysailing) or by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Published in Team Racing, RStGYC

Published in Team Racing

Tagged under

Trinity Sailing Club

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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.