Zim Sailing’s Optimist Team Racing Invitational Regatta at South Carolina Yacht Club
Robert Lippincott, Optimist Program Manager
This past weekend, Annapolis Yacht Club’s Opti racers were invited to compete in the South Carolina Yacht Club’s Invitational Team Race Regatta presented by Zim Sailing for the third year in a row. This regatta was initially adopted from a format of the New York Yacht Club Adult Team Racing Invitational, which is designed as a fun yacht club versus yacht club event.
This weekend, three of our AYC opti team racers traveled to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Competing for AYC this year were Julian Dahiya, Kyle Reinecke, and Willem DeSimone. AYC sailors and parents came to this regatta with a great attitude determined to secure a better finish than they did previous year.
In a windy 12-15 knot breeze switching later on to a 7-9 knot breeze, AYC sailors had respectable finishes by the end of the first day. Points were even amongst all teams this year. Only one team had all wins and almost all the teams were evenly matched skill wise.
Day two saw a change in wind velocity with winds ranging from 5-6 knots and very strong current. Both Chesapeake Bay teams each won a race in the best out of five knock out series, which brought a tie between Annapolis Yacht Club and Fishing Bay Yacht Club. Fishing Bay Yacht Club broke the tie by wining the last race against AYC, and even though there wasn’t enough wind to finish the final knock out series, Annapolis Yacht Club ended up with a third place for the event.
Our sailors mastered getting on the line with front row starts this weekend, which is crucial in team racing. Opti team racers had a better understanding of the current this year and its power. AYC made the final KO round with Lake Forest Yacht Club, Fishing Bay Yacht Club, and American Yacht Club. At this sailing venue, our sailors learned not to underestimate the power of the current, as well as to understand that normal team race maneuvers cannot be done in strong current and light air. Respecting umpire’s decisions and moving on to a new race with a clear head will also be of great importance in future team race regattas.
All in all, much was learned by our young sailors as they competed at a very competitive and challenging venue. This regatta was the practice we needed in preparation for the 2020 USODA Mid-Winter Team Race Championship, which is being held in Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach, California (January 17-20).
Final Results
36 Races: Two full round robins; one incomplete knock-out round
1. Lake Forest Sailing Association 11 Wins
2. Fishing Bay Yacht Club Tie break: Rule D 4.7 (b)
3. Annapolis Yacht Club Tie break: Rule D 4.7 (b)
4. American Yacht Club
5. South Carolina Yacht Club
6. The Royal Canadian Yacht Club |