Team AYC Competes at St. Pete YC

The Adult Interclub Racing Committee filled a team of six members to represent AYC in St. Petersburg, Florida over the weekend of January 18th and 19th. This was a 2v2 team race where the last boat of a race decides the losing team. The Master Driver Team Race requires the helmsman and one crew to be over 45 and one crew under 45. The weather for Saturday was delightful, mid 70’s and 12 – 15 knots easterly. The racing was unbelievably close all day. Our team consisted of David Andril-Skipper, Cedric Lewis-trimming, and Patrick Floyd in the middle, and Derick Lynch-Skipper, Margaret Podlich-trimming, and Cole Allsopp in the middle. With the help of Cole and Patrick, we were in every race and the lead would change several times in the last beat to the finish. During some races, all four boats were crossing the finish line simultaneously and the standings were decided by the RC.                

AYC had a great first day, winning the first race right out of the box. Finishing the day with a record of 4 wins, 2 losses. This left the St. Petersburg YC team in first with 5 wins, 1 loss, and New York Yacht Club and Texas Corinthian tied with AYC for 2nd place. St. Francis was 5th with 2 wins and Seawanhaka Corinthian was 6th with 1 win.  

Sunday started with a very light breeze from the Southeast and an approaching storm system. Due to the storm, racing was called short. The two races we did complete were extremely close with lead changes throughout both races. Unfortunately, due to a foul and penalty point, AYC ended up in 5th place for the regatta, that’s Team Racing! The team still came away motivated to get home and practice for the next one. Definitely the best we have performed as a team at a Team Race event. Next up for Team AYC, our first invitation to the Palmer Trophy Grandmasters’ Team Race hosted by Newport Harbor Yacht Club, March 29-31.