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26 March 2007

Team Strathclude A win SUSA Yachting 2007

The Scottish University Sailing Association (SUSA) returned to Largs for their annual yachting championships. This event is open to teams of students and graduates entered under their appropriate University. The competition is fierce as the winner qualifies for the Student World Championships which is a major event and accomplishment.

Eleven competitive teams gathered for the Championships from 24th to 26th March. The event was sailed using Sunsail’s matched fleet of Jeanneau 37’s and was organised jointly by Largs Sailing Club and the Scottish Sailing Institute.

Racing commenced on Saturday, with two coastal races to test the navigators and tacticians. The sun was out but the breeze was light and unstable and both races were shortened in order to ensure results. Team Strathclyde A and Aberdeen won a race each which resulted in joint points at the end of the days racing.

Sunday and Monday’s races were set windward leeward courses. The easterly conditions provided unsteady breeze in the morning but strengthened as the day progressed, especially on Sunday. The yachts were having exciting races in Force 4 breeze, gusting Force 5, with the spread across the fleet less than 5 minutes from first to last boat. These conditions challenged the students with their spinnaker handling and crew work. On completion of racing notable improvement was observed across the fleet.

The leader board was altered again by the end of Sundays racing with Team Strathclyde ‘A’ 1st , Glasgow 2nd , St Andrews 3rd & Aberdeen dropping to 4th . Team Strathclyde had established a 4 point lead and as reigning champions would be determined to retain this. Only 1 point separated 2nd and 3rd place so the races scheduled for Monday were vital and could certainly bring about changes to the leader board.

Monday brought sunshine and light breeze again. Only 9 boats sailed the final race. Unfortunately Team Strathclyde B suffered an injury and Newcastle A’s team had work commitments to return to. The race committee managed to complete 2 races in the challenging conditions. Team Strathclyde ‘A’ triumphed by winning both thus retaining their title as Scottish SUSA Champions and securing their place at the Student Worlds, an event they have won twice before. The helm of the team, Campbell Davidson, from Largs SC, will be hoping to lead his team to further victory.

Final Results:
1st: Team Strathclyde A Skipper: Campbell Davidson
2nd: Glasgow Skipper: Craig MacDonald
3rd: St Andrews Skipper: Chris Berry

Click here for final results.