The Sydney Uni Sailing Club over the last 12 months has begun to drive the establishment of a new university championship for sailing. Although the final structure of the championship is still being debated between students, universities, Australian University Sport and Yachting Australia. The general goal is for the championship to encompass three disciplines of sailing with two competing in the university games next year and then a single fleet event to complete the championship. Here is a brief introduction to each.
 
Fleet racing is the most well-known discipline when it comes to sailing. If you ever seen yachts on the harbour, if they are racing, they are fleet racing. Fleet racing can take place between any two or more sailing boats, either inshore (on the harbour) or offshore (Sydney to Hobart). Although there are a few different types of starts, generally all boats count down to a start time and then from which point they are all racing. The boats then need to sail around a course a number of times which may take more than 30 minutes before they finish. The first boat to finish is the winner. The winner of a regatta is the boat that scores best across a series of races. This discipline is most competitive when the boats sailed are identical such as at the Olympics or many other one-design events.
 
Teams racing is relatively undeveloped in Australia. In Europe and the US, the most competitive team racing is between universities and colleges. Teams racing consists of a race between two teams each made up of three boats, all in identical boats. The boats of a team work together to ensure they are first around the S shaped course together. Team tactics and boat handling skills are very important as each team tries to develop and maintain an advantage over their opposition. A teams racing regatta is made up of many short races that do not last more than 10 minutes each. This means that the racing takes place in a close-space (not more than 150m) making the close tactical racing exciting for spectators.
 
Match racing is the final discipline of sailing which consists of a race between only two boats. Women’s match racing has recently been included in the Olympics. The two boats, which are generally identical, face off and race around a simple course consisting of a ‘windward work’, around a buoy, a 'downwind' sail towards the start which usually involves a spinnaker. Two laps are sailed then the boats finish across the start/finish line. The most well known match racing event is the Americas Cup, although boats in this competition are not identical.
 
Sailing can be one of the most complex and competitive sports in the world. Alternatively, it can also providing a wonderful relaxing day on the water or even a way of life if extended to cursing, which explains sailing’s appeal to so many people across all ages.