University College Dublin took first place at the Scottish University Championships, adding an overseas victory to the sailing club’s list of successes this year.

The Scottish University Sailing Association (SUSA) Championships, hosted by University of Strathclyde Sailing Club took place at Bardowie Loch last weekend 19th-21st March. Three Irish teams made the journey over to compete in the event – one from UCD and two representing University of Limerick.

With strong winds cancelling racing on Friday and light winds forecast for the next two days it was looking doubtful on Saturday morning that the event would be able to get underway, yet a small breeze filling in over the loch later that afternoon  allowed racing to get started to the relief of all involved, especially the Irish.

UCD did well in the pool stages of their round robin, winning all their races on Saturday and coming ashore having qualified for the gold fleet the next day. Favourable breeze on Sunday allowed the rest of the racing to continue, with a second round robin taking place before the knock out stages commenced.

The first best of three semi-finals saw UCD face SUSA Old Boys, with Edinburgh B and Glasgow competing in the second. A series of gear failure led for a dramatic series of events and tight racing in the semi final races for the UCD team – a redress was granted on the first race when a shroud broke on one of their boats, and despite a rudder falling off a boat in their next race they managed a 2-0 win over the Scots, and a place in the finals against Edinburgh.

Two race wins in the best of three final saw the Irish team defeat the Edinburgh side, allowing UCD return to Ireland with a first place win at the event and Scottish Champions title. This UCD Irish win at the Scottish Championships allows balance to be restored, after a team from Edinburgh came over and won the Irish University Sailing Intervarsity last month.

The team thank all involved in the running of the event especially the host University Strathclyde, the umpires and race management. It has been a number of years since a UCD Sailing team have gone abroad to compete in an event, but with the good racing, great socials and welcoming hospitality of the Scottish Universities it is an experience they will be keen to repeat again.

Written by Sharon Quigley, UCD Sailing Captain 09/10