Exeter Excalibur Team Racing competition
by Tamsin Davies 12 Mar 2013 13:55 GMT
9-10 March 2013
The annual Exeter Excalibur Team Racing competition, sailed in Fireflies and hosted by Exeter University Sailing Club took place at Roadford Reservoir on Dartmoor over the 9th and 10th March. With sixteen teams travelling from across the south it looked set for two fantastic days of racing between University, Alumni and Club teams.
Despite problems on the M5 meaning delayed arrival of boats, we still managed to sail some fifty-three races, in optimum winds for team racing in sunny conditions on the Saturday. However, by 4:30 the wind had dropped off completely, putting an end to racing. By the end of the day, it was looking very close at the top of each league, with strong performances from Southampton Red, Bristol 1, CSPP, the Exeter AllStars and Itchenor.
Race committee had hoped to run gold, silver and bronze leagues on the Sunday, but after arriving at Roadford it became very clear this was not a viable option with pouring rain, freezing temperatures and wind blowing 18-20 knots at 8:30am and set to build.
After rapid discussions between Race Committee and umpires, a new plan was formulated with the winners of each league from the Saturday sailing best of three races for first and second place, and the runners up competing for third and fourth.
A huge thank you to event organizers, and especially to Exeter University Sailing Club's new sponsors, Sperry Topsider, for their support for the event and generous donation of prizes for the top four teams.
If you would like to know more about the club and what we are doing, please see our Facebook page or follow us on twitter @EUSC_sailing.
Final results:
1st – Southampton Red
2nd – Bristol 1
3rd – Royal Itchenor Sailing Club
4th – Cunning Stunts and Pheasant Pluckers