SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011 (Including the 2009-2010 Review

warmth.The Varsity Match is the
most civilised sailing event of the
year. And 2010 has been no
exception.This year saw us sailing
RS Elites, a relatively new class, at
the Royal Lymington Yacht Club
on the south coast.
The Friday saw some of the closest
team racing in the mixed event in
several years. Race 1 saw tight
racing up to the windward mark,
with Pete Bunch and Pete Dannatt
of Cambridge holding their nerve
at the top of the course to allow
Greg Hall into 1st.The 1,2,3 that
was produced quickly became
1,2,6 on the run, but was
successfully held to ensure first
blood went to Cambridge. On the
start line, Race 2 looked like
another Cambridge 1,2 – but
some excellent sailing from
Oxford, forcing us out into the tide,
saw the emergence of a
Cambridge 1,4,5 as the run
progressed. A close umpire call at
the bottom mark saw it slip away
from us, and the scores drew level
at 1-1.
Having swapped boats, we
entered Race 3. In an inversion of
race 1, Oxford gained an extremely
close 1,2 down the run that they
held, despite the valiant efforts of
the two Petes – Bunch and
Dannatt. 2-1 Oxford. Race 4 was to
be the last race of the day, and it
was a must-win for Cambridge to
level the scores and keep up
morale.The positions went to and
fro throughout the race, with
another call at the leeward mark
forcing Cambridge into a losing
combination. But thanks to the
superb skill of Henry Maxfield,
and the speed of Will Kalderon,
Oxford were given turns just
metres from the line, and
Cambridge squeaked away with a
1,4,5. Results for Day 1: 2-2.
The evening saw a barbeque
sponsored by Fullers brewery –
which made the straight sets
defeat of Andy Murray that bit
easier to bear. Both teams were
confident that the next morning
would bring them the victory.
Both teams drank plenty of beer.
Day 2 brought with it an initial
bought of rain – but in true Varsity
style this soon disappeared and
we were once again left with
glorious sunshine. Both teams
knew they had to win two races of
three to take home the Challenge
Cup. Cambridge left Oxford
stunned at the start-line in Race 5
– skilled delaying tactics by Pete
Dannatt and Greg Hall allowed
Pete Bunch to scream in on the
starboard lay-line and leave 2
Oxford boats behind in his wake.
The windward saw the Cambridge
take a 1,2,4 lead onto the run – a
lead that was held, just, to the end.
3-2 Cambridge. Oxford knew they
faced an uphill struggle, and
Cambridge, feeling more and
more confident, lined up with the
express aim of ending Oxford’s 2year
retention of the trophy.
Another superb start from
Cambridge saw a 1,2 emerge, and
this was held down the run – the
efforts of Andrew Lewis saw off a
last ditch challenge from Oxford to
romp home to win the series 4-2!
I have only to mention the
otherwise unsung heroes of every
sailing event – the other two
crews Pete Wathen and Max Darke
– and then offer my heartfelt
thanks to all those above for
rounding off what has been an
exciting, challenging but
ultimately successful year for
Cambridge Sailing.
Felix Danczak
Captain 2009-10
Club Activities and Results:
Sailing:
Varsity Match: Won
BUSA place: 5th
Sheffield Shuffle: 1st
Oxford Top Gun: 3rd
Oxford Magnum: 5th
Warwick Turtle: 3rd
Wessex Warmer: 8th
Yachting:
The yachting section has run a
series of successful trips in their
yacht Kestrel throughout the year.
Windsurfing:
Varsity match: Lost
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