WindsurfingUK issue 4 July 2017 | Page 47

47 horrendous start with malfunctioning kit, but pulled it back in the later races.” Rob York: “It’s really cool to see everyone from the SWA taking part out on the water, you don’t often get to see this many people racing, it’s a credit to the SWA to sustain people’s interest in windsurfing, I’ve seen some people here that I raced with six years ago and it’s fantastic to see them back out on the water racing.” BUCS Intermediate Division Inspired by their advanced counterparts, many students took to the water to test out their skills in the beginner and advanced divisions. In the intermediates, fan favourite Luke Storry showed why he has been doing so well on the series this year, finishing in first position in all races to claim his position as top intermediate sailor. In the girls, it was Emma Seaton who came out on top, securing a second first place lady for Sheffield University, a windsurfing club which only began this year! 1. Luke Storry (Bristol) 1. Emma Seaton (Sheffield) 2. Benjamin Essigman 2. Maddy Green (Sheffield) (Cambridge) 3. Seb Olingschlaeger 3. Eliza Tilbury (UWE) (Birmingham) BUCS Beginner Division The beginner racing was conducted a few 100 metres back from the seafront on a small inland lake, which provided flat waters and sheltered shores. The competition was still fierce and very little room was spared for the competitors to edge beyond their rivals. Top riders from Bristol and Sheffield dominated the podium positions again but all round it was brilliant to see such interest and dedication to racing at such an early stage. 1. Brendan Chung (Sheffield) 1. Joanna Philips (Bristol) 2. Jimmy Nguyen (UWE) 2. Alice Hunt (Nottingham) 3. Christopher Outlaw 3. Helen Anderson (Bristol) (Sheffield) Team Racing Widely regarded as the main event of the weekend, eight universities fought over the title of fastest University in the BUCS team race competition. With two heats, and the top two from each going through, it was all to race for. The wind had stepped up to a steady 20 knots, meaning some teams opted for smaller sails than the permitted 7.5m, whilst all teams used the one-design RRD Firerace, kindly supplied by uk WIND SURFING