BUSA Finals 2024 was hosted by Cambridge University Cruising Club at Grafham Water SC on 2-4 April 2024. Following Qualifiers and Playoffs, 2 Cambridge teams and 1 Oxford team were competing. The event used 5 fantastic flights of fireflies, including 2 from Cambridge, and 2 from Oxford (including their new Ovington flight!) Overall, the winds were lighter than last year, and the weather was sunnier!
A full day’s racing was completed on day 1 in full rigs, with both Oxford Blue and Cambridge Blue near the top of the Swiss League at the end of the day. Day 2 started off windier, and PRO Keith Sammons, made the correct decision to launch in cut-downs. The end of day 2 was unfortunately forced earlier than scheduled as a large squall saw a number of capsizes, and sailors brought ashore. The wind did not relent for the remainder of the day, with it consistently blowing 30 knots in the race area.
Day 3’s forecast promised gusty and shifty, but manageable conditions, and by lunchtime, a fantastic 17 rounds of the Swiss League had been completed (238 races total) to select 8 teams for knockouts. Cambridge Blue had won the Swiss League, with Cambridge Purple (20th overall) and Oxford Blue (23rd overall) seemingly unlucky with their bounces.
The knockout stages were completed against the clock on a good course, and after narrowly overcoming a strong Strathclyde Pink team in their semi-final, Cambridge Blue won the final 3-0 against Exeter Blue, in racing that was far closer than the scoreline would suggest. This meant Cambridge Blue (although with all new team members from last year) successfully defended their 2023 title.
Full results can be found on the KSail Website.
A number of photos courtesy of Nigel Vick of UKTRA can be found here.
CUCrc extends thanks to KSail, Grafham Water Sailing Club, and a number of OCSS members and CUCrC alumni who were involved in the organisation and management of the event.
