While the usual place for a full OCSS Generations Match report is the OCSS website, we couldn’t resist providing the Cambridge view from our correspondent Will.
Will writes:
While Generations 2026 may have lacked some wind at the best of times, it certainly didn’t lack good company and spirits (or should I say port!). Cambridge current consisted of a mixture of sailors from 2025/26’s Blues, Crimson and Womens teams, bringing lots of new sailing partnerships due to helm-crew availability for the event.
Despite the relaxed nature and wind at the event, the racing that followed was far from relaxed, with Cambridge current’s first race being against recent 2020s Cambridge alumni, an overall tight race but the alumni were able to demonstrate their team racing experience, edging the current team out on the final legs. However this low was short lived when they managed to quickly come back against Oxford 90s in their next race, and even with the handicap, current managed to secure their first win.
Unfortunately this is where the already soft breeze decided to take the rest of the day off, leading to the course looking concerningly more like a mirror the longer the deeper into the afternoon we got. Nonetheless the races pushed on, driven by the highly anticipated dinner deadline.
Next up were Cambridge (roaring) 20s, then Cambridge teens (Rachel), more alumni team that provided close and competitive racing for the current team. But by this point, the conditions dictated that roll tacks and roll gybes that were extra ‘oochy’ shall we say provided very beneficial, which naturally lead to some different attitudes to rule 42 around the course.
Shortly after this, the wind decided it needed to get ready for the dinner and promptly left Farmoor entirely, sadly leading to an early finish on the racing front, but by this point it was safe to say all the sailors were excited for dinner too following a slow and steady day on the water.
Dinner was hosted by OCSS at the Cherwell Boat House and was an evening boasting excellent company among old faces and new, a successful AGM and accounts review and thorough defence of the Loving Cup. To finish a great day, OCSS’s port was shared and enjoyed by all.
Overall it was a really enjoyable event, with lots of familiar faces enjoying the art of team racing together in an event that will be remembered by all for generations to come.
Some photos from the event:
