By: Jonas Monastery

It's been a busy month for NTNUI. Last weekend (27-28 September) NTNUI Sailing headed to Ålesund for the annual Student Sailing National Championship, and what a weekend it turned out to be. We participated with nine teams, likely a record for a single university, and the event itself also broke records with more than 120 students taking part. This makes it the largest Norwegian championship ever held in a single class, something we are truly proud of.

Student Nationals is all about making sailing more accessible. While many participants in the past had prior experience, we are now seeing a growing number of newcomers discovering the sport for the first time during their student years, which is a very positive development for the future of sailing in Norway. The event allows sailors to build a network that extends beyond their studies. When they move to new places after graduation, they still have a community of sailing enthusiasts to connect with and continue the sport. This sense of belonging helps retain dinghy sailors within the sport. At the same time, it is crucial that students get to know each other across cities and clubs, building relationships and unity that may make it possible to form teams in other sailing classes in the future. In this way, student sailing becomes not only a social highlight but also an important arena for recruitment and the long-term development of the sport in Norway.

We arrived in Ålesund on Friday to sunshine and great spirits. Boats were ready for training, and most teams took the opportunity to get on the water, even though light winds made conditions challenging, a theme that would continue throughout the weekend. The evening ended with a barbecue, quiz, and social activities, setting the tone for a fun and inclusive event.

Saturday morning started promisingly, and one race was launched with seven boats on the start line. Unfortunately, due to lack of wind and time constraints, the race had to be abandoned before any boat crossed the finish line. With the AP flag raised, the rest of the day was spent ashore. Still, the atmosphere remained excellent, and teams found creative ways to make the most of the sunny weather while Ålesund showed itself from its very best side.

The organising committee rounded off the evening with a fantastic student-style banquet, complete with speeches, traditional songs, and entertaining videos, a true highlight of the weekend. Sunday’s conditions were similar to Saturday’s, and no races could be held that day either.

Despite the lack of wind, the weekend created something even more important: a unique sailing community built on fellowship and inclusion. Newcomers were warmly welcomed, friendships and bonds were formed, and the sport was strengthened through collaboration across teams, clubs, and universities. The organisers also emphasised that the sense of community and the willingness to help throughout the event were so strong that it was truly moving to witness. The weekend was a strong reminder of what student sailing is really about: building community, welcoming newcomers, and sharing a passion for the sport.

As race officer Thomas Nilsson put it:

“It’s no longer acceptable to say, ‘I stopped sailing when I started studying.’ The new thing is: ‘I started sailing when I began my studies!’”

photos Bronny Daniels