The first BUSA tour team... 65 years on

The first BUSA tour team.. © Vines family

The British Universities Sailing Team of 1959 gathered together again on 21st November 2024 in the Royal Thames Yacht Club to lunch and reminisce about their tour of the USA. In the intervening years they have mostly swapped Fireflys for walking sticks, but they are still involved with our sport in many ways.

This was the first BUSA tour of the USA which set a precedent, and teams have gone over there every four years or so. Since 1959, over 150 of our top sailors have been lucky to have this amazing experience and hone their skills in many different types of US racing craft.

Back then the major events were the British America Universities Cup and the Lipton Trophy, and the '59 team won both of them in style.... 5 races to 0 in both events. One was in 'Inter Club' dinghies on Long Island Sound and the other in Fireflys on Charles River basin.

Returning home they were feted, in part because it was a British victory following soon after another failed attempt to win back the Americas Cup. The RTYC put on a generous celebratory lunch, and 65 years on they were back in the same room, though with a different menu. Now more abstemious, they still empty a bottle or two.

The five in the 2024 photo are Brian Appleton (Captain), James Grogono, Andrew Green, John Evans and Jeremy Vines. The sixth in the 1959 photo is Martin Hall, who sadly died much too young.

The first BUSA tour team…65 years on - photo © Vines family