University College Dublin took 4th place at the Irish universities invitational match racing championships recently in the sailing clubs first foray into the match racing format this year.

The event was hosted by Howth Yacht Club on the 11th of April. UCD, UL, TCD, DCU, UCC, DIT, NUIG were all represented at the event. UCD were invited on foot of their very impressive 2nd at the recent intervarsities held in Fenit. Representing UCD on this occasion were Aidan McLaverty, Dan McCarthy, Rory Murphy and Cathal Leigh-Doyle. The event was sailed in J80 keelboats kindly provided by the ISA’s sailfleet subsidiary. The format was simple, 8 teams, 7 races but only 1 winner.

Initially delayed due to light winds, first gun was eventually fired at 11.30 in a light North Easterly breeze under a blazing sun providing idyllic conditions for competitors and spectators alike.

UCD got off to a flying start, winning their first race against UCC and following that up by claiming a significant scalp in pre-event favourites UL.

UCD then learned an important lesson in treating every opponent the same as they lost out to a weak NUIG team simply through lack of concentration. Another loss followed to a strong and experienced Trinity team who were the eventual runners up

With two more wins under their belt the UCD team went into the final race of the day with 4 wins and 2 losses. A win in the final race would guarantee them 2nd place overall but a loss would drop them down to fourth. It was all to play for; a tense race was in store for the watching support.

In the final race they were up against an experienced DIT team who were never going to let UCD have it their own away. The pre-start was tense as DIT attempted to hunt down UCD and tempt them into a foul. However UCD showed the composure that had given them that earlier win over UL as they managed get off the start-line slightly ahead of DIT. Both teams split and went to opposite sides of the course, as they came back together, the spectators consensus was that UCD were going to be just about in front. At the 1st mark, UCD led DIT by the minimum. Down the run, DIT managed to sneak inside UCD and by the 2nd mark they had gained the advantage. Despite a heroic effort from the UCD team, UCD were unable to assail the DIT lead and DIT crossed the finish line to win the race and the event overall.

For UCD it was a disappointing end to a good days racing and the lads were left to reflect on what might have been. Overall UCD finished fourth behind DIT, TCD and UL. Considering their inexperience in match racing, with some hard practice over the next winter, there is no doubt that UCD have every chance of coming out on top next year.