British University Sailing Team to tour USA

by Tony Mapplebeck on 26 May 2015 Alternating every two years, since its inception in 1957, teams of university students tour the USA and the UK to compete with their counterparts. In 2015 it is the turn of the British University Sailing Association to tour the USA and challenge their US Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association counterparts to a series of events, ranging over fleet, match and team racing. The tour will take place between 6 September and 4 October 2015.

In its 58 years, the BUSA vs. ICSA Tour has seen some of the best sailors from the UK and USA compete against each other, and, as such, it represents the pinnacle of university sailing and something all student sailors may aspire towards.

Applications from student sailors across all UK universities were sought and a great many received. The resulting selection process was highly competitive. The BUSA Tour Selection Panel, consisting of Peter Johnson, BUSA President and International Judge/Umpire, Phil Derry, retiring BUSA Chair and previous Tour Captain, and Jack Fenwick, BUSA Honorary Member and NJ/NU, together with Emily Nagel, BUSA Ladies’ Captain and Connor Miller, BUSA Men’s Captain, deliberated at length!

BUSA are pleased to announce that, following the selection process, the following sailors have been appointed to this year’s team:

Emily Nagel, BUSA Ladies’ Captain (University of Southampton)
Connor Miller, BUSA Men’s Captain (Loughborough University)
Cam Douglas (University of Bristol)
Ben Gratton (University of Oxford)
Tim Gratton (University of Cambridge)
Arthur Henderson (University of Cambridge)
Charlie Makepeace (University of Bristol)
Mike Matthews (Loughborough University)
Matt Reid (Southampton Solent University)
Emily Wiltshire (Cardiff University)

Profiles are appended.

Peter Johnson said, “The BUSA Tour to the USA is an incredible opportunity to experience top-level and highly competitive sail racing in a variety of different formats and in new surroundings. I know - my daughter was a member of the victorious 1999 Tour team!”

Connor Miller commented: “After announcing the team the level of excitement grew and the realisation of what we collectively have set out to achieve has truly kicked in. I'm not sure of the standard of previous Tour teams, but I know for a fact that this team consists of by far the best British University sailors out there. There were over 25 applicants for the Tour this year, not an astounding amount but enough to represent the fact that all those applying and those not, understand how competitive it is to make the team.

“One of the biggest things Emily and I stressed to the Selection Panel was the level of diversity required in the team. In the States we'll be racing all types of boats from FJ's, 420's, Sonars, J's and up to, potentially, Navy 44's, so the experience required to sail all of those boats well needs to stem from a team contribution.

“We're currently in the process of setting up our training schedule where we will be doing plenty of travel around the UK. We're also in the process of setting up a fitness schedule with some tests because I can guarantee a month long in the States sailing and visiting all the fine social establishments will take its toll both physically and mentally! BUSA met the Yale Corinthian team at this year’s Wilson Trophy where plenty of cheeky comments and pre-emptive build-up was exchanged as we will be sure to meet each other on the Tour. The Yank's don't know what’s about to hit them”.

The Team are seeking sponsorship to help meet the Tour expenses, primarily the air fares and to provide a travelling coach and support manager. Any individual or organisation interested in providing help or commercial sponsorship for this high profile Tour is asked to contact Connor Miller - c.miller2-12@student.lboro.ac.uk.

The outline programme for the tour includes:

Sept 12-13 Weekend 2:	Harry Anderson Regatta	College Fleet Race	Yale
Sept 14-18 Week 3:	Performance Sail Craft Trophy	3 v 3 Laser Team Race	Kings Point*
Sept 19-20 Weekend 3:	Nevins Trophy	College Fleet Race	Kings Point
Sept 21-25 Week 4:	Lord John King	Match Race	Naval Academy
Sept 26-27 Weekend 4:	St. Mary's CoEd Regatta	College Fleet Race	Saint Mary's Co-ed
Sept 28-Oct 2 Week 5:	British American Trophy	2v2 Keelboat Team	Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut
	Thomas Lipton Trophy	3 v 3 Team Race	Saint Mary's Co-ed
Oct 3-4 Weekend 5:	Danmark Regatta	College Fleet Race	Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut