Trinity Retain IUSA Varsities Title in Carlingford

3rd March 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Varsities Victory — TCD 2 lift the IUSA Intervarsity trophy on stage after a dramatic five-race final against clubmates, sealing the 2025/26 title in Carlingford

Trinity College Dublin has defended the IUSA Intervarsity team racing title after three days of intense racing in Carlingford.

TCD 2 secured the 2025/26 Varsities crown in a dramatic best-of-five final against clubmates TCD 1, with the contest decided in the final race.

The event, hosted by Trinity College, was overseen by Race Officer David Bolger with support from volunteers at Carlingford Sailing Club and umpires from Ireland and England.

Race Day Duel — Trinity crews in action during the IUSA Intervarsity series in Carlingford, where tight starts and rule calls shaped a thrilling championship finale

Racing began with a round robin series before progressing to semi-finals and a final.

TCD 2 finished third in the round robin to set up a semi-final against UCD 1, who had recently won the IUSA Northerns in Portrush. After losing the opening race of the best-of-three series, TCD 2 won the next two to advance.

On the opposite side of the draw, TCD 1 topped the round robin and defeated Queen’s University Belfast 2-0 to reach the final.

The decider proved finely balanced.

Race one went to TCD 2 after a photo finish that required detailed video review. TCD 1 responded with a commanding win in race two following a strong start.

Race three was awarded to TCD 2 after a black flag incident at mark two prompted on-water discussions with umpires. TCD 1 levelled the series again by claiming race four.

The championship came down to a winner-takes-all final race.

TCD 2 — Oisin Hughes, May McGlew, Russell Bolger, Becky Lowney, Max Cantwell and Ciara Woodard — held their nerve to secure the title and complete a successful defence of the IUSA Intervarsity crown.

Shoreline Spirit — Trinity sailors celebrate on the Carlingford shoreline after three days of Varsities racing, moments after securing another historic IUSA Intervarsity title defence

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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.