Page 10 • Cambridge Sailing and Board Sports of All Kinds

Cambridge Teams at 2019 Brummie Boom – November 2019

Our correspondent Francis Treherne Pollock has provided us with a report of Cambridge activity at this week-end event:

The lake was mirror flat as we arrived at Bartley Reservoir for the 2019 Brummy Boom (previously known as the Brummie Bender) on 16/17 Nov. But with the wind forecast to pick up to 2 knots gusting 4, the two Cambridge teams were in good spirits. I was trying to think back to the last time I had done a light wind roll tack at Grafham. We had a quick sweepstake on the timing of the first race. The prize: popping the cork off the Aldi methuselah we had acquired for the evening. We were all way off the money, the first start signal was at 12:30, it was 1:30 before the first changeover. Nevertheless each team got a couple of races in on the first day. Cambridge Men came away with 2 wins from 2 races. Cambridge Beige had lost out in a close race and was on 1 win from 2.

On Sunday the wind reflected our energy levels: it was set to start off quite light and pick up as the day went on. Beige came into their element picking up 3 wins from the 4 races on the second day. In addition they won the umpire’s vote for best race of the weekend, by maintaining a close 1,4,5 all the way round the course. The Men hadn’t fared so well, facing tough competition and managed to pick up just one win. Beige ended the round robin in a 3 way tie for 4th place.

Qualification for the last semi final place was decided by the last race of the round robin. Unfortunately the Beige team just missed out on points. However Oxford Team Racing Academy (OTRA), captained by Cambridge Sailor Adam Rathmell had been quietly going undefeated all weekend. OTRA, also including Cambridge sailor Danny O’Toole, continued their hot streak all the way to the finals, winning the 2019 Brummy Boom. Hugh Tompkins also made a last minute substitution for an injured crew for the knockouts. A full report is available on Yachts and Yachting

Cambridge Beige team at the Brummie Boom 2019 — Cambridge Beige: Torben, Charlie, Greg, Sam, Francis, Lucy

Cambridge Sailor Adam Rathmell competing for the winning team OTRA

Cambridge Take Bronze at 2019 Oxford Magnum – November 2019

Cambridge Blue made a strong start to the season, taking the Bronze Medal at the 2019 Oxford Magnum held at Farmoor Reservoir 9/10 November 2019. Cambridge Pink had a less successful outing, but redeemed themselves by finishing top of the Bronze League on the Sunday.

A full report and gallery of photographs is available on the O&CSS website.

Cambridge at RS200 Inlands – October 2019

Three Cambridge boats took part in the RS200 inlands, which conveniently took place on 6-7 October 2019 at Grafham Water SC. The fleet competed 5 races over the two days because of weather. At lunchtime on Sunday the arrival of Hurricane Lorenzo led to gusts of 29 knots and the cancellation of the 6th race.

Results:
24th: Robbie King and Bethan Matthew
27th: Alex Smallwood and Callum Farndean
49th: Oliver Jagger and Hugh Tomkins

Also in competition at the 2019 RS200 Inlands were well-placed alumni Nick Craig (6th) and Arthur Henderson (14th).

Boats sailing at 2019 RS200 Inlands — Alex Smallwood (Helm in green) and Calumn Farnden (Crew in the blue cap)

A New CUCrC 2019 Year Starts at Cambridge – October 2019

A new CUCrC 2019 year started at Cambridge with the Sports Fair in the University Sports Centre on the afternoon of Monday 10 October 2019. Teams and people who appear in photographs are listed below.
Alex Baxter, Holly MacAskill, Torben Sel, Bethan Matthew, Robbie King

A new CUCrC 2019 year started at Cambridge with the Sports Fair in the University Sports Centre on the afternoon of Monday 10 October 2019. This new venture by the University Sports Service is only in its second year, but has already become a focus for freshers serious about sport. In contrast, the Freshers Fair continues to be a somewhat frantic free-for-all jamboree. Some photographs of the Fair appear in the gallery below.

The Taster Weekend (12/13 Oct)suffered from rain on the Saturday (no photographs!) and gales on the Sunday. Both sailing and windsurfing had to be cancelled on the Sunday – a big disappointment for everyone.

In contrast, the Trials (19/20 Oct) were blessed with perfect weather. Some 30 or so hopefuls battled it out over the weekend – with all 12 of our Fireflies in use. Some photographs are in the gallery below. In addition, some short video clips are linked immediately below.

Explore the gallery of photographs below by clicking on the thumbnail that interests you. Click on the displayed photo or use Esc to get back to the gallery. Use the ‘Leave a Reply’ function at the bottom of the page to submit any comments you wish to make.

Cambridge Sailors Succeed on the 2019 Match Racing Circuit – September 2019

Cambridge sailors achieved considerable success on the 2019 match racing circuit, which has become a major add-on to the CUCrC sailing calendar. In the summer sailors travelled far and wide to compete. In addition, match racing has been re-established at the annual Varsity Match. As well as a complete success at the Varsity Match, some 15 current Cambridge sailors and recent graduates went to 5 events over the summer, collecting a bunch of podiums along the way.

Two Cambridge teams travelled to the National Match Racing Qualifier 1 at Burnham. Current student Robbie King and recent graduate James Pinder claimed the top two spots in light winds and very strong currents. So both qualified for the National Championship Grand Final that will be held this November.

In other 2019 match racing posts, we cover the successes of Jemima Lawson in the UK Women’s Match Racing, Robbie King in the UK Youth Match Racing, plus news of Cambridge match racing in the USA.

Photo of boats sailing in 2019 match racing — Q1 Final at Burnham – James Pinder, Dave Robertson, Callum Farnden leading Robbie King, Alex Smallwood

Cambridge at the Southport 2019 West Lancs 24 Hour Race – September 2019

A Cambridge University team of 10 sailors competed in the West Lancs 24 hour race at West Lancashire YC, Southport on 14-15 September 2019. They improved on their 2018 result by finishing 21st overall and 2nd Firefly. They also picked up the trophy for Top University (out of 9 universities entered), finishing 2 minutes ahead of Bangor University. The team suffered 3 capsizes overnight and a 5-minute penalty taken by mistake, allowing Bangor to be much closer than would have otherwise been the case.

Team for 2019 West Lancs 24 Hour Race: Adam Rathmell, Alex Smallwood, Bella Biddle, Callum Farnden, Freddie Scott, Holly MacAskill, Hugh Tomkins, Megan Redhead, Michael Smith, Tom Kosteletos.

Cambridge sailing in the West Lancs 24 hour race — CUCrC’s Holly Macaskill and Bella Biddle just before finishing

Cambridge Do 2019 USA Match Racing – August 2019

Over the recent summer, Cambridge sailors travelled to the American Great Lakes to compete in two 2019 USA match racing events. Students Jamie Webb and Alex Smallwood, with recent alumni James Pinder and George Hopes, sailed in the Chicago Grade 2 event and the Detroit Cup. Alex and Jamie report:

We had a very disappointing Chicago event – we just avoided finishing on nil points. We sailed much better in Detroit, winning the quarter final and the petit final to take the Bronze Medal. We all considered that a very satisfactory outcome for our entry to the 2019 USA match racing circuit.

Over the next year, Cambridge teams will compete in several more student and non-student match racing events. We wish them the best of luck!

Boats sailing in 2019 USA match racing — Detroit Cup – James Pinder, Alex Smallwood, Jamie Webb, George Hopes leading in the quarter final

Robbie King Takes 2019 UK Keelboat League Title – September 2019

Congratulations to Robbie King and his crew of Alex Smallwood, Callum Farnden, and Ryan Orr (of GWSC) in taking the UK 2019 Keelboat League title at the finals hosted by Royal Thames YC at Queen Mary 27-29 September 2019. Robbie and his crew were sailing under the burgee of Grafham Water SC. A full report is on the Y&Y website.

Another Grafham/Cambridge team led by Anna Prescott, with Francis Treherne Pollock, Cat Wallace, and Jamie Webb as crew, just failed to make the final. They finished in 4th place behind Robbie in the Royal Southern Qualifiers 4 on 22/23 June 2019.

Jemima Lawson Takes Silver at UK 2019 Women’s Match Racing – September 2019

Congratulations to Jemima Lawson on taking the Silver Medal at the UK 2019 Women’s Match Racing Championships held at Portland, Weymouth 7/8 Sep. Jemima was crewed by Bethan Matthew and two non-Cambridge sailors, Jessica Lavery and Jessica Hammet. Some photographs of the event, which included the UK Youth Match Racing Championships, can be accessed on Instagram (third and fourth photos).

Anna Prescott, crewed by Holly MacAskill and two others just missed out on reaching the semi finals, being beaten by a whisker in the quarters.

There are two photographs on Instagram (photos 3 – Jemima and photo 4 – Anna) in addition to the photo below.

Boats sailing in UK 2019 Women's Match Racing — Cambridge (Jemima – yellow backstay flag) battles against Cambridge (Anna – blue backstay flag) in pre-start manoeuvres

Robbie King Takes 2019 UK Youth Match Racing Title – September 2019

Congratulations to Robbie King and his crew of Callum Farnden, Alex Smallwood, and Emma Baker (Exeter) on capturing the 2019 UK Youth Match Racing title at Portland, Weymouth 31 August/1 September 2019. A full report on on the Y&Y website. (Faces in the crew photo there are: Emma, Robbie, Callum, Alex.)

As a result of this win, Robbie and his crew qualify for the 2020 World youth Match Racing Championships.

There are two photographs on Instagram (photos 1 & 2) in addition to the photo below.

Photo for 2019 UK Youth Match Racing — Robbie King in command just before one of his starts