Bollinger Oxford Magnum 2006 at Oxford University Yacht Club
by Harry Creelman 21 Nov 2006 14:47 GMT
18-19 November 2006
Across the weekend of the 18th/19th of November, Oxford University Yacht Club hosted 120 sailors in 20 teams for this year’s Bollinger Oxford Magnum. This event is one of the most prestigious in the team racing calendar and consequently attracted some of the finest university and club racers.
The Saturday began the event with aplomb, successfully sailing ninety races using four different flights of Fireflies, the results from which divided the competitors into four leagues: Champagne, Gold, Silver and Bronze. However, a four-way tie that bridged across the leagues meant that much was still to be competed for. A re-sail of the 73rd race was integral to the placing of these teams but, with the dying sunlight, it had to be deferred till morning.
Sunday morning greeted the competitors without zest, a lack of breeze postponing the racing for over two hours. As a result, the event had to move straight to the quarter-finals, the re-sail of the 73rd race having determined the eight qualifying teams: West Kirby Hawks, Society, Oxford, West Kirby, Cambridge, George Knights and Southampton.
With an increasing wind the competition was fierce but in due course the quarter-finals saw West Kirby, Tabby Cats, West Kirby Hawks and Society progress to the semis. From here it was West Kirby and Tabby Cats who proved top and moved through to the final.
Those who braved the elements to watch from the shore witnessed an exciting final. In a contest determined by the best of five races West Kirby won the first two but Tabby Cats fought back with a 2,3,4 on the finish line of the third. However it was West Kirby who pushed through to win the fourth race and consequently secured themselves the title for this year. With West Kirby Hawks having defeated Society in the playoffs for 3rd place the final competition results ran thus: West Kirby in first place, Tabby Cats in second and West Kirby Hawks in third.
Many thanks go to the sponsors of the event, Bollinger Champagne; to Oxford Sailing Club for providing the facilities; to the umpires, the helpers and to Oxford University Yacht Club for ensuring the smooth running of the competition; and to Oxford Schools, Sevenoaks School and London University for lending their fleets of Fireflies to the event.