The Varsity Yacht Race

After setting up the racing squad in 2003, we decided to challenge Oxford to a varsity race having met them at BUSA that year. The first race took place in the Solent on Sigma 38s on Sunday the 30^th of November 2003 and was organised by Tim Houghton (Cambridge) and Jacqui Catherall (Oxford).

The race was conducted as part of the Hamble Winter Series because neither club had the resources to organise an event itself. It was also felt that fleet racing was most appropriate for the yacht race, as varsity team racing and match racing events already existed. Oxford won after a good performance in drizzle, rain and fog, but the event had been established and has been raced every year since.

The race is normally run just before BUSA and after the end of Lent term, in order to give both teams time to train up some of their new intake and get a bit more training before BUSA. The racing normally takes place during a Sunsail regatta weekend, but entering other races, such alternating between the Fastnet and Cork or Cowes Week has been mooted for the future if funding can be found. The CUCrC donated a cup, which is awarded to the winner each year (see picture).

Race Reports

Reports on the Cambridge-Oxford Varsity Yacht Race. Crews are listed as Skipper, First Mate, and then the rest of the crew in alphabetical order.

2007/08: The 15^th of March 2008

The fifth varsity race was again held during a Sunsail regatta weekend. Both universities entered two boats, but agreed not to team race and aim for a high overall position (the highest position to win) in order to win a free weekend's sailing out of Sunsail! After a varied weekend of racing with a lot of other university crews, both Cambridge boats beat the Oxford boats.

The winning Cambridge crew was: Tim Houghton (Skipper, Helm), Andrew Jackson (First Mate, Main), Tamaryn Brown (Trim), Ian Craigie (Tactics), Johann Napp (Racing Officer, Mast), Claire Nichols (Pit), Bruno Reynard (Trim), Jules Toynton (Bowman).

2006/07: The 31^st of March 2007

The fourth varsity race was held during the now traditional Sunsail regatta weekend. The weekend was immediately before BUSA so a lot of other university teams entered, ensuring excellent training. Unfortunately, after a very close and windy day of racing on the Saturday, Cambridge was pushed into a collision with another boat on the start line on Sunday and couldn't recover, enabling Oxford to take the cup.

The Cambridge crew was: Tim Houghton (Skipper, Helm), Andrew Jackson (First Mate, Main), Emma Foster (Trim), Chris Hawkesford (Trim), Christian Jeffery (Bowman), Adeel Khan (Grinder), Nina Marinsek (Pit), Igor Ostrowski (Mast), Hester Robertson (Racing Officer, Tactics).

2005/06: The 15^th of March 2006

The third varsity race was again held during a Sunsail regatta weekend. After two days of close racing in the eastern Solent, Cambridge lost to Oxford by a single point on the last race.

The Cambridge crew was: Frieda van Belle (Skipper, Racing Officer, Fine Trim), Tim Houghton (Helm, First Mate), Andrew Jackson (Main), Klaus Kopper (Coarse Trim), Tim Laundon (Bowman), Nina Marinsek (Navigation), Igor Ostrowski (Mast), Jeremy Randall (Pit).

2004/05: The 20^th of March 2005

For the second varsity match, Oxford and Cambridge entered boats in a regatta of 20 boats run by Sunsail. Both sailing with new crews, Oxford got the better start in the first race, but Cambridge had much better boat speed, and managed to overtake not only Oxford but the rest of the fleet by the windward mark. Cambridge extended its lead around the course and finished first, with Oxford close to the front of the fleet on Cambridge's heels. In the second race of the day, Cambridge got a much better start, and was again ahead by the windward mark. Again Cambridge stayed ahead throughout the race and finished first.

Both boats were delighted to discover on coming ashore, that having come first and second in the Sunsail regatta, they had both won a free weekend sailing in November at the Sunsail finals, and are looking forward to coming head to head again then. The Cambridge racing officer was Sarah Chapman.

2003/04: 30^th of November 2003

The inaugural varsity yacht race. We had a very windy training day on the Saturday; although this was a lot of fun, it meant both boats were unable to get much technical practice in, particularly on spinnaker work. Nevertheless, in the calmer weather on Sunday the crews managed admirably and quickly got to grips with what for most was a new class of boat, and for all a new group of people. Unfortunately Oxford were better on the day and we lost to them. However, we gained a fairly good position in a fleet of well maintained and regularly raced Sigmas, which we were pleased with. With the experience of the new members racing is attracting, we hope to be a much more competitive boat next year and take the Varsity race to a higher level.

The Cambridge crew was: Tim Houghton (Skipper, Racing Officer, Helm), Marie Claire Lennon (First Mate, Navigator, Pit), Sarah Chapman (Fine Trim), Deborah Cross (Bowman), Mark Greene (Mast), Tak Kaneko (Main), Sarah Maidment (Coarse Trim), Isaac Phang (Runners, Grinder), K Zarb-Adami (Coarse Trim).