Top Gun Team Racing at Farmoor Reservoir
by Anthony Butler 3 Mar 2014 02:05 PST
1-2 March 2014
Bristol (red stripe) take 1, 2, 5 at the start of the finals second race against Oxford (blue stripe) © Anthony Butler
Bristol maintained their dominance of the university sailing scene by beating Oxford 2-0 in the final of the Top Gun, organised by Oxford at Farmoor Reservoir on 1/2 March 2014. Light winds delayed the start of sailing until Saturday afternoon, while breezy conditions on Sunday put a premium on seamanship as well as sailing skill and team racing strategy.
Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, and Oxford emerged as semi finalists from the round robin between the 8 competing teams, with Oxford drawn against Cambridge and Bristol against Exeter. Oxford sailed steadily to defeat Cambridge 2-0, but Exeter sprung a surprise on Bristol by taking the first race. Bristol responded strongly to take the next two races and then powered through the final to finish worthy winners of the Top Gun Trophy. Oxford finished runners-up, Cambridge 3rd, and Exeter 4th.
Many thanks to all the helpers, particularly the race team and umpires, who made the event such a success (Kate Cole, Matt Ely, Bruce Hebbert, Claire Lasko, Charly Pain, Jonny Taylor, Eerik Toom, Nigel Vick, amongst others). Also to Oxford SC for their continuing support.
A full gallery of photographs is available on the O&CSS website.
Overall Results:
| Team | Sailed | Won | Points | % Wins | Avg Points |
| Bristol | 14 | 12 | 112 | 85.7 | 8.00 |
| Oxford 1 | 14 | 11 | 121 | 78.6 | 8.64 |
| Cambridge 1 | 14 | 11 | 122 | 78.6 | 8.71 |
| Exeter | 14 | 6 | 157 | 42.9 | 11.21 |
| Southampton | 14 | 6 | 159 | 42.9 | 11.36 |
| Cambridge 2 | 14 | 5 | 157 | 35.7 | 11.21 |
| Warwick | 14 | 3 | 172 | 21.4 | 12.29 |
| Oxford 2 | 14 | 2 | 179 | 14.3 | 12.79 |