AYC Women's Team at American Yacht Club for the WITR

Gina Henderson

This past weekend the AYC women’s team headed up to American Yacht Club in Rye, NY, for the Women’s Invitational Team Race regatta. With a lineup of six teams from near and far, including entries from St. Francis, Chicago, New York, and Larchmont Yacht Club, racing took place over two days in club-owned Ideal 18 boats under very mixed conditions. Saturday proved challenging for both competitors and race committee, with light and variable winds requiring multiple course changes and only eight races completed. Sunday’s conditions were more favorable (and challenging!), with winds starting at 8-10 knots, freshening to 15-18 knots with some lively squalls and rain showers coming across the race course.

After only two races sailed by team AYC on Saturday due to scant wind, the team started strong on Sunday winning their first three races against American, St. Francis, and Chicago YCs. After the end of two round robins, team AYC qualified for the championship series, but were knocked out by New York YC in the best of three races, finishing in 4th place overall for the event. Sailing for AYC was skipper Margaret Podlich, crewed by Audrey Callanan; skipper Bell Carty, crewed by Lucy Kupersmith; and skipper Cordo Jorch, crewed by Gina Henderson.