The Irish University Sailing Association Western Championships, the third IUSA sailing event for the 09/10 academic year, took place last weekend 30th/31st of January hosted by University of Limerick sailing club. Over 24 teams representing Irish Universities and ITs across the country travelled to Kilrush, Co. Clare to compete in the event, each with the hope of going home victorious.

With 5 teams entered in the event, 30 students from UCD Sailing Club made the journey westwards to take part in two days of competitive sailing. A shortage of wind early Saturday morning caused a slight delay to the start of the day’s racing, but by lunchtime a gentle breeze had filled in allowing races to get underway. A drop in wind strength later in the afternoon meant that not all of the scheduled races of the round robin stages were able to be completed. In the gold fleet teams UCD1 and UCD2, both of whom won all of their races on Saturday, were ranked in the top two positions when it came to seeding the pairings for the quarter finals.

Sunday’s racing, with perfect wind conditions, began with UCD2 facing DCU1 in their quarter final. Although losing the first of the “best of three” races, UCD2 managed to pull back two wins, gaining a place in the semi-final against UL2. UCD1 were less fortunate in their quarter final, losing out to DIT1. In the first semi-final, UCD2 took the first race win but lost the next two and with that came the loss of an opportunity of a place in the gold fleet final. After the second semi final took place, it became evident that University of Limerick would go home with a win from the event. The final saw UL1 and UL2 fight it out between themselves for the first place win, with UL1 victorious in the end.

UCD2 finished the event in 3rd place after DIT1 were unable to sail the 3rd/4th place playoff.

UCD3 won the silver fleet after a dramatic series of events of black flags and cancelled redresses to get to the final, where they beat CIT1 the team recently returned from the Student Yachting World Cup.

 Gold fleet

 3rd: UCD2        Simon Doran/ Christine Lynch, Nick Harger/ Katie Curtin,

Andrew O’Donoghue/ Gillian Condy

Silver fleet

1st: UCD3        Alyson Rumball/ Elaine Farrell, Dan Mc Carthy/ Mary Lucey, Cathal Leigh Doyle/ Jodie Jane Tingle