Birmingham University Old Joe Team Racing at South Staffordshire Sailing Club
by James Wynn-Edwards & Abbey Williams 21 Jun 2018 16:18 BST
9-10 June 2018
Birmingham University Old Joe Team Racing at South Staffordshire © Jeremy Western
The University of Birmingham Sailing Club hosted the fourth 'Old Joe' team racing event over the weekend of 9th-10th June at South Staffordshire Sailing Club. Open to all and with a record turnout of seventeen teams, it proved to be a fantastic weekend full of competitive racing, delicious food, great music and even glorious sunshine.
The weekend began with the Friday night social as competitors headed out to Birmingham's Circo and Pryzm before (not) getting some much-needed sleep ahead of the following day's racing.
On Saturday morning the sailors gathered at South Staffs Sailing Club and in light winds the round-robin was soon underway. Competition was fierce, but the atmosphere relaxed as everyone enjoyed a light lunch and music in the sunshine when off the water. The light conditions proved challenging for the sailors, umpires and race officers alike but the sunshine helped to keep everyone in good spirits and racing continued until 17:00.
The eagerly awaited Saturday night social then began at the sailing club with a delicious barbecue rustled up by volunteers from the University, followed by a selection of classics from the fantastic South Staffs Band and their tremendous support act. The night ended with the brilliant resident DJ and then teams camped at the sailing club for the night (no driving necessary!), ready for the next day of racing.
After breakfast butties, the Sunday morning provided similarly light winds to the previous day. The round robin continued but after lunch the wind dropped so much that it was not possible to run a final and results were taken from the round robin stage.
The University of Birmingham's graduating team, 'The Bartley Babes' emerged victorious, with the University of Edinburgh in second and South Staffs Sailing Club in third.
Sincere thanks to all at South Staffordshire Sailing Club who welcomed us and supported us once again in providing this increasingly popular event. We look forward to seeing you all again next year and if you haven't been to an 'Old Joe' before then please keep a look out on our event page and come and give it a go next year. As they say at South Staffs SC, "There ain't no party like a South Staffs party!".
Facebook event page (with photos): www.facebook.com/events/765060980364206