DUSC competed in the IUSA intervarsities from 10th to 12th March, hosted by UCDSC out of Clifden Boat Club. Varsities is the penultimate team racing event for DUSC, ahead of the Colours event on April 1, to be held in Grand Canal Dock. This year’s varsities was attended by over 160 sailors representing 26 teams from Trinity, UCD, DIT, DCU, UCC, CIT, NUI Galway, Queens, Loughborough, Edinburgh and SUSA.
Photo: Meg Tyrrell
The event began well for Trinity, with the firsts winning all seven of their races to carry a one hundred percent record into the second day of racing. The seconds won 75 percent of their races and in total we had five of our six teams ranked in the top half of the round robin. After finishing day two with eleven wins from twelve races, the firsts were drawn against UCC 1 for the Gold Fleet semi-final, to be sailed on Saturday. The other Gold Fleet semi-final was contested by UCC 2 and UCC 3.
Photo: Guy Boggan
The third and final day of sailing saw the conclusion of the round robin and the division of teams into the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets for the knock out stages. In addition to the firsts making it to the Gold Fleet final, the thirds reached the Silver Fleet final where they were ultimately beaten by UCC 5. In the best-of-five Gold Fleet final the firsts took a 2-1 lead before a black flag offence by a UCC boat on the finish line of the fourth race meant Trinity finished as 2017 Varsities Champions, winning the final 3-1, the first time Trinity has won varsities in 11 years. Congratulations to the team of Scott Flanigan and Cara McDowell, Dan Gill and Kate O’Reilly, and Rich Roberts and Laragh Lee. This victory follows last year’s second place final in varsities held in Kilrush.
Phot: Guy Boggan
Congratulations is also due to Trinity fresher Cara McDowell who was awarded Crew of the Year at the awards ball, and to Chris Phelan who has been elected the incoming IUSA President for next year.
A special thanks must go to our sponsors, Dubarry of Ireland and BMW Martin Reilly, for their continued support of the club.
Colours will take place on April 1 in Grand Canal Dock before the Student Yachting Nationals and SYWoC qualifiers take place in Howth Yacht Club on the last weekend of April.