Elections and the AGM were held on the Wednesday of week 10 (13.3) and as a result we have a few changes in constitution and a new committee. I apologise in advance if details of the evening are a bit confusing as the person writing them (Sam) got more and more inebriated as the night went on.

The following motion was past at the AGM:

• Unfilled positions from a first round of elections will become available in a second round as Ordinary Members (Positions that will be exempt: Commodore, Vice, Treasurer, Race Captain and Windsurfing Captain)

After this the voting started on the various positions which took about 2 hours to complete. Your new committee is as follows:

Commodore: Sam Edom

Vice Commodore: George “Foisty” Fuest

Treasurer: Georgie McCreadie

Windsurfing Captain: Dan Pingstone

Race Captain: Matt Goacher

Windsurfing Kit: No nominations so carried through to Ordinary member

Windsurfing Beginners and Recreational: Dan Ellis

Sailing Beginners and Recreational: Amy Boylan

Bosun: Tasha de la Fuente

Web and Communications Officer: Harry Gallivan

Sponsorship Officer: Annie Brough

Alumni Officer: Jo Bradley (Til end of the term), Dan Pingstone (in new academic year)

Merchandise Officer: George Fuest

Social Secs: Will Edwards and Caitlin O’Kelly

Ordinary Members: Will Garratt and Will Drysdale

A big congratulations to the new committee and I wish you the best for the next year and I am looking forward to the Beaver Bash to top off my final year before I head up to Dundee (hopefully I will see you at finals). Its been an amazing year and the current committee has seen the club come on leaps and bounds in sailing and windsurfing. I hope this can be continued for many years to come.

Many Thanks,

Charlie

Commodore 2012-2013

Over the weekend of 9^th and 10^th March, a team from York Sailing competed in the Big Lash event hosted jointly by Manchester and Liverpool Universities at the home of team racing, West Kirby Sailing Club. Representing York were Matt Goacher, Jo Bradley, Tasha De La Fuente, George Fuest, Charlie Williams and Will Edwards. A fantastic turnout of 19 teams promised some varied racing in a range of conditions.

In light conditions, York started the event against Edinburgh Green followed by the home team, West Kirby. Despite being in the mix in both races, the team were unable to settle in a stable winning combination and ended up trailing at the finish. After a short turnaround, York were straight back in the action against Newcastle and Shallumni. Fellow BUSA finalists Newcastle overturned the result from qualifiers by taking the win after a few mistakes by the York team cost them dearly. Shallumni, a mix of Sheffield University and Hallam alumni, showed their slick teamwork as well as their experience as York’s struggles continued. A good battle on the top reach in an attempt to bring the York team back into the race didn’t quite come off and from there the race was over.

A longer break between races allowed the team to refocus from their troubled start. A well managed race against Sheffield Hallam White saw York winning in a 1, 2, 6 combination as Matt/Jo and Tasha/George commanded the top 2 positions off the start line. On countback this had propelled York into the Silver League, an opportunity that the team were keen to take advantage of.

Newcastle Black were first up in the Silver Fleet and fortunately resulted in a win for York in another example of 2 boats controlling the top 3 positions around the course. In a repeat of the Sheffield Shuffle, Fat and Fast proved to be just that in the next race to wrap up a mixed but increasingly positive day for the team.

The Saturday night theme of “Tight and Bright” was taken far too literally by Will and George who were sporting some fine luminous yellow hot pants and orange leg warmers. Spirits were lifted in more than one way at a tequila bar which boasted over 100 flavoured varieties, which were widely sampled by the team. The night ended in ‘The Razz’ where Will and George once again excelled themselves by consuming numerous (was it 5?) ‘Fat Frogs’ after hearing a rumour of big breeze on the Sunday. The Durham freshers were also taught a lesson in drinking games after they flashed the cash and pennied with a 2p coin.

Credit: Mike Moruzzi

Sunday morning provided less breeze than expected but sharp gusts kept the racing interesting. A fresh West Kirby team got the better of York in the pre-start battle and gave them the advantage which they held until the finish despite a strong comeback from Matt and Jo. Durham Red were next as memories were stirred of the highly contested race at BUSA Qualifiers. A losing combination was overturned on the downwind leg as Tasha and George set off in pursuit of the lead Durham boat. Meanwhile, Matt and Jo laid a textbook mark trap at mark 3 on the remaining two Durham boats to close the race up further. Rapid sailing from Tasha and George to take the lead meant that it should have been all over as York occupied a 1, 3, 6 combination going onto the final leg. Unfortunately, the unpredictable shifts benefitted Durham and left Matt and Jo fighting to overcome two boats. An exhilarating tacking duel resulted in Matt and Jo forcing a penalty on a Durham boat and then another as they were again fouled. Having crossed the line, a tense wait ensued as Charlie and Will managed to cross the finish line just in time to claim 5^th place and secure the victorious 1, 4, 5 combination.

In the final race, York were marginally winning in another close race before Sheffield took the initiative when Charlie and Will washed away the hangover with an early bath.

At the end of the weekend, York finished 10^th overall out of 19 teams and 6^th University team. After a difficult start, this represented a fantastic recovery as the unfamiliar team were able to adapt. Good team racing practice bodes well as the first team prepare for BUSA Championship finals and both teams look towards Roses 2013.

On the weekend of the 2/3 February, two York Sailing teams travelled to Leeds to compete in the BUSA/BUCS Northern Qualifier. In many ways, this event defines a team’s season as success is rewarded with a place in the National Finals in April, the one single opportunity to collect BUCS points for this discipline. Representing the York first team were Matt Goacher, Jo Bradley, Sam Edom, Annie Brough, Tasha de la Fuente and George Fuest. Sailing under the name ‘York Black’, the team recorded York Sailing’s best performance since 2004 by finishing 4^th and therefore, earning direct qualification.

The forecast for the weekend was one of high wind which presented itself on Saturday morning with some big gusts streaking across the lake. York Black had a tough few races to kick the event off, sailing against last year’s top 3 in consecutive races. Despite York holding the lead during the race, Liverpool Pink converted well on the last leg of the course to take the win. Durham Purple were next in a race that was practically decided on the finish line. At the final mark, a Durham boat fouled Tasha and George, meaning a 2 turn penalty was imposed by the umpire. This meant the Durham captain was helpless as York Black sailed through to take a crucial victory. After 4 races, the team had a 50% win ratio but drew confidence knowing that they had already raced most of the top teams.

York Black’s next 4 races were run in quick succession and featured the York derby; Black against Yellow. Sam and Annie and Tasha and George occupied the top 2 places all the way around the course, but York Yellow showed how much they have improved in recent weeks by holding Matt and Jo in 6^th place until the final leg. With momentum in their favour, York Black won all 4 races to leave them on a 75% win ratio for the day and in 3^rd place overnight.

York Yellow, represented by Charlie Williams, Harry Gallivan, Georgie McCreadie, Becki Curtis, Will Drysdale and Will Edwards had been sailing well and were rewarded with a win against Newcastle Yellow.

The teams arrived on Sunday morning to be greeted by even more breeze, as races went ahead with smaller ‘storm’ sails. The first race of the day was against the Durham 3rds. A lot was riding on this race for both teams as they began to set their eyes on qualification for finals and playoffs. Superior pre-start tactics gave the early initiative to York Black but this was overturned by the Durham captain at Mark 4 with a risky but effective ‘smackdown’ move. York had not given up however, as once again they saved themselves to record the win by sailing with extraordinary pace.

After a series of capsizes and boat breakages and the wind still increasing, the race committee finished the event prematurely. A tense wait ensued before the results were announced, confirming that York Black had finished in 4^th place to earn direct qualification to the national finals. It is the first time since 2004 that York will be represented at the finals, where only 28 teams are invited to compete. On top of this, York’s first team has climbed 41 places in the national ranking in one single season to sit 12^th. All the sailors involved should be incredibly proud of such an outstanding achievement.

Both of York Sailing’s teams have been putting in the hours in the last few weeks despite the horrendous weather in order to prepare for the upcoming BUSA Northern Qualifiers this weekend. This event defines each team’s season, as success will result in an opportunity to race at the BUSA National Finals later in the year.

The team racing squad have consistently been leaving their houses before the sun had properly risen and have barely been off the water before the sun disappeared again below the horizon. The level of commitment but perhaps more accurately, insanity, has particularly been shown in the last two weekends where the teams have faced snow, temperatures as low as -7°C and subsequently a partially frozen lake and wind in excess of 25 knots. While most, if not all, other outdoor sporting fixtures were cancelled, York Sailing were still training hard. Their determination and commitment should be highly praised!

On Saturday 19^th January, York’s Black and Gold teams welcomed the Leeds team for a day of joint training. There was real evidence of improvement as the races went on, particularly in the success of various team racing moves. Having other sailors to race against simulated the challenges that will be faced at BUSA Northerns which could prove to be invaluable at the event.

With a hard few weeks behind them, the squad will travel to Leeds this weekend aiming for some top results. The teams will be tweeting their progress as much as possible @YUSWC as well as posting a Facebook round up of the day. Keep up to date with their progression and show your support, it will make a massive difference! Also keep an eye on the BUSA Sailing Facebook page for full results, the teams are entered officially as York Black and York Yellow.

Photo: Jo Bradley

For the first time in a number of years, YUSWC took two sailing teams to another university event on 10/11^th November. The Sheffield Shuffle is a favourite for its legendary socials but also the high level of competition on the water. This year, 17 teams made the journey including teams from as far away as London and Kent, with a number of old boy teams in the mix as well.

After sampling all of the coloured pints to decide which was best in Corp the night before, the teams arrived at Pennine SC on Saturday morning to be greeted by light winds. Unfortunately the orange pint seemed to have affected the course manager the most as he was still seeing things the wrong way round. When racing did get underway, York 1s beat Kent but then lost to Durham Purple having come off the start line in a controlling position. York 2s were thrown in at the deep end against Mapperly Park YC and Durham Black. After lunch, the first team were beaten by Cambridge Pink before restoring the 50% win ratio with victory over Loughborough Purple. York 2s results improved in their next 2 races against Loughborough White and Manchester but unfortunately were not quite getting the win. At the end of the first day, both teams left in a positive mood and were excited by the prospect of bigger breeze on the Sunday.

Saturday night featured the award winning Poptarts night at the Sheffield Student Union, where the theme was reverse Rubik’s Cube. Having got in the practice at Newcastle the week before, everyone excelled themselves by swapping their red attire. Special mentions go to Jo and George who by the powers of seduction/persuasion/bullying managed to gain the coveted Orange vests which had originally been worn by London. In the spirit of Movember, York were also sporting an array of red moustaches which were further drawn onto as many other people as possible. Some said that you could tell where York had been as we left a trail of red ‘taches behind us, something that was a considerable factor in York winning the social award at the end of the weekend!

Both teams were on the water early on Sunday morning with some big gusts meaning cut down sails were more than welcome! Both teams also faced a Newcastle team in the first race with the firsts winning. In reality the race was won by Sam and Annie and Natasha and George as Matt and Jo ended up completing 5 penalty turns at the first mark! In the next races, York 1 superbly won the pre-start and didn’t look back, winning comfortably against Sheffield Hallam while Fat and Fast proved to be just that against the second team. York 1s continued their good Sunday form by beating London but were controlled by Sheffingham Old Boys in the pre-start, from which they never recovered. York 2s finished off their weekend against Cambridge Blue.

While the second team were able to get warm and dry, York 1s ventured out in the drizzle against Fat and Fast in the quarter finals. The race was hotly contested combined with a high level of skill being shown by both teams. Having been leading 1, 4, 5 up the last beat, one shift approaching the finish favoured Fat and Fast, meaning they claimed the narrowest of wins.

Both teams should be extremely pleased with their performance. Some in the second team had barely set foot in a Firefly or completed a team race and the way they competed throughout the weekend was impressive. The standard of the event was high featuring international team racing sailors. For the first team to reach the quarter finals in a large fleet shows a continuation of last week’s form at the Angel of the North , and therefore credit should go to Natasha and George for slotting into the team so well.

Credit: Chris Woods

Over the weekend of the 3^rd and 4^th November, York Sailing’s 1^st team competed in ‘The Angel of the North’ event hosted by Durham and Newcastle universities. Representing York were Matt Goacher, Jo Bradley, Sam Edom, Annie Brough, Dan Pingstone and George Fuest. The event comprised York’s first competition of the season and therefore, presented a measure of how the team are progressing.

Saturday morning delivered cold drizzle but ideal wind conditions as York kicked off the full round robin with races against Newcastle 2 followed by Newcastle 1. A perfect 1, 2, 3 combination in the first race provided the confidence to execute another straightforward win against their firsts. Further wins over Durham Red and the Durham Dambuster alumni team meant that York had been commanding the top of the leader board. Dan and George were particularly impressive as the new partnership worked together well to deliver excellent speed and tactical moves. After lunch, the team suffered a setback with disappointing defeats to both Manchester 1 and 2, while Liverpool 1 showed better speed off the startline, giving little opportunity to pull the match back.

York soon found their form again to complete the Newcastle clean sweep by beating their Old Boys in a race where superior rules knowledge proved decisive, particularly from Sam and Annie.  The day was finished with a solid win over Liverpool 2 to cement qualification for the Gold fleet in 3^rd place.

A slow start to Sunday morning was suited to many, as the wind took its time to materialise. When racing did get underway, York again flew out of the blocks with wins over Durham Red and Newcastle Old Boys. Matt and Jo were most at home in the light and fluky conditions, often taking one of the all important positions at the forefront of the race. This continued into the match against overnight leaders, Liverpool 1, with the team determined to overturn the defeat from Saturday. Superior starting tactics gave York the upper hand which was held throughout the race, resisting significant pressure from Liverpool 1 up the final leg of the course to claim the victory.

A narrow loss to the Dambusters in the final race meant that Liverpool 1 and York joined them on a 75% win ratio, and also tied on head-to-head victories. On countback of points, the Dambusters won the Angel of the North, with York finishing 3^rd. This acts as fantastic starting point for the season as many top teams were beaten overall and to finish level with Liverpool 1, the 2012 Northern Champions means that York pose a serious threat this year.