Scots head south for some team racing fun

Read on for some first hand reflections on this year's Eric Twiname Team Racing Championships...
29 Oct 24
Scottish sailors at the Eric Twiname Team Racing champs

Earlier this month, the Eric Twiname Youth & Junior Team Racing Champs took to the water at Oxford Sailing Club. Organised by the RYA in conjunction with the Eric Twiname Trust, the weekend offered highly anticipated and high octane racing, including on water changeovers. 

We've been hearing from St Mary's Loch sailor Dougal Jackson, one of four intrepid Scottish youngsters who got involved this year. Read on to hear from Dougal first hand...

"A couple of weekends ago I discovered a whole new discipline within dinghy sailing - Team Racing. I was happy to be invited to join a team from Helensburgh Sailing Club travelling to the Eric Twiname Team Racing Championships at Oxford Sailing Club. Tom Ansell and I were complete Team Racing newbies, while Logan Brown and Tristan Somerville had team raced in the younger class at the event last year.

"The team racing rules are subtly different and the planned course seemed unusual with starboard mark roundings. Luckily much of the mystery was dispelled when we received an excellent pre-event Zoom call with Ali Morrish, a successful Scottish team racer. Thank you to Ali for giving up her free time for this coaching.

Scottish sailors at the Eric Twiname Team Racing champs

 "We sailed RS Fevas in the 25 team Junior class. Day one we had good weather with moderate winds. In early races, I was glad of my crew Tristan calling tactics as I concentrated on starting well and maintaining boat speed. With team racing familiarity I feel tactical awareness improved. Our results were a mixed bag with 4 wins and 4 losses against some strong specialist teams. Day two was overcast with light breeze. I felt we were further getting the hang of things along with our Wingmen, even forcing some penalties, and we comfortably won both our races. Unfortunately in dying winds further racing was abandoned. We finished the competition 9th team out of 25. 

"There was a great atmosphere at the event, and it was good to see some familiar faces around the club as coaches and in Northern England teams, with everyone having an enjoyable time. I thoroughly recommend this experience as a fun divergence from fleet racing.

"A big thank you to Peter Brown for organising the trip."

Dougal Jackson, 14

If you like the sound of team racing, why not head to the RYA Team Racing page now to find out more. 

Are you a University student? Scottish Student Sailing run a packed calendar of team racing events. You can keep up with all the action on their social media.