(written and submitted by Lucy Burn, GBR Team Sail 4 Cancer)

10 teams descended on La Rochelle, France for the European University Women’s Grade 3 Match Race from the 11th – 13th May.

Plenty of wind, waves, sun and rain were forecasted making the two British teams who had flown out to compete, feel very much at home in the typically “English” weather that was experienced over the three days of racing.

The plan was to sail one full round robin and finish with semi-finals and finals on the last day. Due to strong winds, progression of the round robin was slow as gear failure on many of the Beneteau First Class 8’s halted proceedings.

The younger British team helmed by Charlotte Lawrence got off to an excellent start, beating world number 4 Silke Hahlbrock from Germany. Disaster followed as a collision with the Irish team forced them to sail in unable to carry on due to the damage. Further upset was caused when the German team requested redress after losing all three of their opening matches, citing keel issues. The organisers inspected the boat and confirmed that it was stuck half way up the casing and agreed to re-sail all their matches the following morning.

The second British team, Team Sail 4 Cancer, helmed by Gemma Farrell, from Buckinghamshire, had a fantastic start to the regatta by winning all three of their races on the first day.

Currently ranked 12 in the world and the second highest ranked team at the event, Farrell was only put under pressure by Silke Hahlbrock, who won all her matches after being granted redress for keel issues. The start was won by Hahlbrock who led off the line with a two boat length advantage. However, by the first windward mark, Farrell had managed to out-tack her opponent and had snuck through to take the lead which she held until the final downwind leg. There was only a boat length between the two boats and a luffing match ensued as the German team tried to pass to windward, blanketing the British team and stealing their wind. Hahlbrock’s team managed to keep their spinnaker filling throughout the manoeuvre whilst the British team were covered and unable to keep up. Hahlbrock crossed the line one boat length ahead spoiling the brit’s unbeaten record in the competition up until then.

Farrell and Hahlbrock finished the round robin in joint first having won all but one of their races. Both were looking forward to the finals where Farrell was hoping to get a little payback.

The 10 teams woke to a fresh 25knots of wind blowing directly onshore. As the committee boat went out to set the course for the day, the teams endured a bumpy sail out with two reefs in the mainsail. Before the warning signal was fired the wind rose rapidly to 30 knots, then 35 gusting 40! The boats returned to shore and racing was later abandoned for the day as the wind showed no signs of letting up.

Silke Hahlbrock and her team from Germany won the event on count-back much to the bitter disappointment of the British team Sail 4 Cancer who had to settle for second place.

Despite a disappointing end to the racing, the organisation and hospitality of the Club was excellent – and there is always next year!