US Team Racing Championships. Image copyright Adrian Koch.
by Jake Fish
The first round robin was completed and another 40 races in the second round robin were sailed in steady breezes on day two of the 2010 U.S. Team Racing Championship. Pre-regatta favorites Team Extreme and New York Yacht Club’s Silver Panda have made it through cleanly to the semifinals.
Sixteen teams representing three countries are sailing Vanguard 15s with a three boat, six sailors per team format. Some of the best team racers in the world are contending for the prestigious George R. Hinman Trophy on the waters of Lake Union for three days of racing.
A request for redress by Who Dat put a halt to racing at around 4:00 p.m. PST. The race committee decided to end the second round after 40 of the 120 races were completed. Racing continues Sunday, starting at 9:00 a.m. North Shore Trouble, Tall Boyz, North Field Alliance, and the West Kirby Hawks rounded out the top six. The repechage currently includes Buns and Ammo, Seattle Sideshow, Statesmen with Heron and Woonsocket Rockets. Two of these teams will join the top six in the semi-finals after tomorrow’s repechage. More details will be announced in the morning on Sunday’s schedule and participants.
Seattle’s low-lying clouds dished up a light northerly. A midday lull allowed the sun to come out. Races were generally close throughout and the leader board was in constant flux, except for the very top. Team Extreme and Silver Panda held fast to the top two spots.
Team racing is a unique form of racing. In each match, two teams of three boats are pitted against each other on an “N” shaped course. It is the cumulative points of all three boats that determine the winning team, which may or may not include the winning boat.
The highest placing U.S. team will represent the United States at the 2011 ISAF Team Racing World Championship next August in Ireland.
The U.S. Team Racing Championship is hosted by the Seattle Yacht Club and the Center for Wooden Boats. On-the-water spectators are welcome, though they will be asked to stay clear of the race course and not interfere with wind. The event is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., LaserPerformance, Dry Creek Vineyard, and Gill North America.
US Team Racing Championships
