Cream of British sailing compete at Southampton University Team Racing

by Kate Fairclough on 2 Feb 2012 The Southampton University Team Racing Reunion event welcomed the 'who’s who’ of British Sailing this past weekend to the Spinnaker Sailing Club. There were a total of 84 sailors in 14 teams which included all six helms to have ever won the ISAF Team Racing World Championships for GBR.

Raced in light winds, the reunion was won by the ‘Wessex Hawks’ consisting of Andy Cornah/Kate Fairclough, Ben Field/Tom Foster and Matt Findlay/Sophie Harrison (between them 1999-2005), triumphing in all thirteen races they raced in the two day round robin competition.

The Alumni sailors, whose joint University careers date back to circa 1986, were joined by the current University of Southampton Second Team to race for the ‘Great White Telephone Trophy’, held for only the second time. Sailors competing included countless National, European and World champions in all manner of classes and disciplines. Those sending their apologies for missing the event include notable America’s Cup and Olympic sailors such as Adrian Stead, Paul Campbell-James and Saskia Clark.

Not only have the alumni enjoyed successful sailing careers, but it is testament to the students of Southampton that there were doctors, nurses, accountants, fighter pilots, lawyers, engineers, management consultants, teachers, professional sailors and PhD students racing against one another. Southampton is the only University sailing club known to hold such a vast reunion event, testament to a club that remains active and successful to this day.

Competitors enjoyed crisp but perfect team racing conditions on Saturday, with steady Force 2-3 conditions and the occasional burst of winter sun. At the end of day one, Wessex Hawks and Team Fun were each unbeaten, with Wessex Allstars and Wessex Pirates close behind. Following an epic social involving a 'crawl' along Portswood High Street ending at Southampton’s infamous student nightclub Jesters on Saturday night, the final 25 races of the round robin were completed in light conditions on Sunday morning.

Early victories left Team Fun and the Wessex Hawks both unbeaten and therefore tied until they met. It was Wessex Hawks that triumphed, resulting in a well-deserved victory in a highly competitive event. Team Fun and Wessex AllStars ended the competition tied on number of wins, with Wessex AllStars ultimately taking second place overall after beating their compatriots.

The event was the first of many this year for the renowned Wessex/Spinnaker partnership. The clubs will host the Deloitte Wessex Winter Warmer team racing event in Febuary, the BUSA Qualifiers and the RYA BUSA Ladies Championships. Many thanks go to PRO Mike Greenland, Chief Umpire Greg Ansell, all of the helpers of Spinnaker Sailing Club and the many current students who helped to run an excellent event.

Final Results:

1. Wessex Hawks - 13 wins (Andy Cornah, Kate Fairclough, Ben Field, Tom Foster, Matt Findlay and Sophie Harrison)
2. Wessex AllStars - 11 wins (Steve Tylecote, James Williams, Rob Sherrington, Mel Sherrington, Ben Vines and Jenny Vines)
3. Team Fun - 11 wins (Andy Shaw, Holly Scott, Stevie Tiernan, Tim Goodhew, Ed Morris and Emily Giles)