Snakebite Team Racing organised by the University of Nottingham Sailing Club
by David Eberlin 13 Feb 14:22 GMT
11-12 February 2023
The University of Nottingham Sailing Club organise the annual Snakebite at their home club Notts County Sailing Club over the weekend of 11th & 12th February.
The event is a well organised and popular event, with over 130 competitors or 22 teams this year. The logistics are quite scary, The University Sailing Club field a team of thirty doing results in the race office, the Start boat (a race every 3 minutes), a repairs team, a pontoon team, finish boat and general safety and transport. The Notts County's bosun also has quite a bit to do making sure all the boats are working and running. The team also includes the highly experienced umpires keeping everyone in order, making on the spot decisions as the rules are pushed to the limit by the visiting teams.
The event starts early - around 9.30am around a tight course allowing up to 90 races a day. The aim is that each team will race all other teams in different boats, to even out all the variables so the most consistent team wins.
On shore, the caterer Pauline and team were busy preparing bacon cobs and then lunch for everyone.
Saturday saw around 80 races sailed in light and occasionally a little stronger winds with the odd glint of sunshine. Sunday's lighter overcast conditions meant another 30 or so races took place.
The Rutland Raiders won overall, with Exeters Reds second, Sheffield gold were third and Exeter black forth.