The Sail1Design US Team Racing Grand Prix is a first of its kind series consisting of 3 Vanguard 15 events: Marblehead, Midsummas(Wianno), and New York Yacht Club. The events aren’t new but the concept is. Teams get points for their finish position at each event, 100 for first, 80 for second… All that matters is team name. Teams are free to use different skippers/crews at each event. By Combining scores from 3 events this series looks to encourage more participation in dinghy team racing and give active teams something to work towards. Sail1Design partnered with Sturgis Boatworks and Atlantis Weathergear to provide great prizes at each event and to the overall series champion.
Write-ups for Marblehead and Midsummas can be found here: https://www.sail1design.com/airwaves-sailing-news/regatta-news-results/1134-us-team-racing-grand-prix-series-update-and-overall-standings
Below is the write-up for the series finale at New York Yacht Club Team Race
New York Yacht Club Team Race Stop 3: August 17-18
The 3rd and final stop of the first ever US Team Racing Grand Prix produced a repeat winner in the Rhode Island Pistols. With the win they also clinched the series title with 2nd, 1st, 1st in the 3 events. Not surprisingly, the RI Pistols have been sailing together for a couple years and sailed all 3 events with the same people. They will certainly be a team to watch for at the Hinman this year. Tied for 2nd on 12 wins but losing the tie breaker was long time team racing heavyweight Big Whoop! This finish also clinched them 3rd overall in the series. The top 3 were clearly separated from the rest. Rounding this group out with 11 wins were the RI Knights sailing with former Team Racing World Champion Colin Merrick, Nick Ewenson, and Dylan Vogel along with crews Maria Petrillo, Meredith Nordhem, and Wendy Reuss.
Newport served up sailable but far from ideal conditions all weekend. Sailing took place in the usual spot between Goat and Rose Islands. Saturday started slow with a late seabreeze that filled around 1:30pm and never built over 10 knots. Sunday was a very light unstable southeasterly making racing very boathandling intensive. Despite the trying conditions Event Chair, Joel Hanneman, was able to get off one full 10 team round robin followed by a gold round of 6 teams and silver round of 4. Racing was aggressive with numerous calls for protest and penalty turns as will be the case when top level team racers square off.
In the end everyone left happy having enjoyed the always wonderful hospitality at NYYC. It’s always so cool to see a bunch of dinghy masts up on the lawn at Harbor Court. They like having the young team race crew and we like being there.
Full Results and Team Rosters: http://www.nyyc.org/yachting/teamracing/2013-v15-teamrace
Congrats to Rhode Island Pistols: Ben Greenfield, Bianca Rom, Ben Spiller, Anna Spiller, Mark Dineen, Abby Preston on their impressive win and overall series Championship!
Rhode Island Pistols wearing the Atlantis Challenger Jacket. Atlantis Weathergear provided these great looking warm jackets to the overall series champions.
Big Whoop! team members Johnny Norfleet and Brendon Healy after their 2nd place finish at NYYC. Sturgis Boatworks provided these Magic Marine Pull Over Hoodies to top finishers at each event. These great hoodies are wind/waterproof on the outside and fleece lined on the inside. Perfect for long days on the water where windproof, waterproof, and comfort are top priorities.
US Team Racing Grand Prix Final Results
1. RI Pistols: 280
2. University of Phoenix: 205
3. Big Whoop!: 160
4. RI Knights: 65
5. Superfly Snucka: 65
6. Northern Alliance: 55
7. Eastern Yacht Club: 55
8. Victorious Secret: 55
9. Dirty Girlz: 40
10. Nuts n’ Cider: 40
11. Toby’s New Trick: 35
12. Let’s Get Weird: 35
13. Team Stanley: 35
14. Bow Down: 30
15. Golden Retreiver: 30
16. Menage a Trois: 30
17. Off: 25
18. Gone Hoggin’: 25
19. TBD: 20
20. A Knife Fight with Spoons: 15
Thanks Again to our series sponsors!
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