Southampton Institute yachting team produced an outstanding performance by winning the British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA) Student Yachting Nationals, which was hosted by the University of Portsmouth at the Quays complex from the 14-17 April 2003. This is the third time in four years that the Institute has finished first overall in the championship.

The event was held in Jeanneau Sunfast 37s on charter from Sunsail’s Port Solent base, with 28 boats entered and 25 racing, and it provided some close racing with seven different boats winning races and most of the fleet getting into the top five at least once.

In the end, however, it was consistency that won it and Southampton Institute 1 finished first with five first places. Southampton University 1 finished second, followed by Newcastle and Southampton Institute 2.

The Institute’s first team was skippered by Mike Henning, who is studying HND Leisure Management commented on the win: “It was down to establishing a lead early on and staying constant in a tough fleet. I would also like to thank our sponsor Doyle Sails for making our entry possible.”

This win qualifies the team as the English representative in the Student Yachting World Cup at the end of the summer.