2016 U.S. Team Racing Championship – Final Report
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (August 21, 2016) –Team Trouble, comprised of Charles Higgins (Norfold, Va.), Johnny Norfleet (New York, NY), Isabel Strachan (Annapolis, Md.), Matt Allen (Hamilton, Mass.). Gabriel Smith (Annapolis, Md.) and Arielle Darrow, saved their best for Sunday’s knockout rounds and rallied to win the historic George R. Hinman Trophy at the 2016 U.S. Team Racing Championship, hosted by Sail Sheboygan.
The win qualified Team Trouble t0 represent the United States at the 2017 Team Racing World Championship. They will look to follow in the footsteps of several U.S. teams who have gone on to win at Worlds in years past.
Team Trouble struggled through Friday’s Qualifying Series round robin stage with just four points in 10 races and ranked seventh at the conclusion of the round. They bounced back to win all four races in the Silver Round Robin to advance to the Knockout Series Quarterfinals. Team Trouble defeated Jet Lag, 2-1, in Quarterfinal and they defeated BOSS, 2-1, in the Semifinal. Team Trouble beat Mostly Grad Bods, 1-0, in the single race Final to win the championship.
This premier team racing event in the United States is an invitational event. First held in 1981, the U.S. Team Racing Championship remains one of the hottest events in the country for collegiate and post-collegiate sailors. Interested teams applied by resume. The championship is raced in three-boat/six-person teams (three skippers and three crews).
Racing took place on Sheboygan Harbor. Teams raced the Zim 15, a doublehanded, monohull dinghy designed by Steve Clark. The Zim 15 is very maneuverable which will make for some terrific team racing.
Team racing is one of the most popular disciplines in sailing. Over 100 races are sailed in just a few days. Races, or flights, are shorter than traditional race courses. Three flights are racing simultaneously with teams swapping out after each race with each team wearing a unique identifying pinny or bib.
Media & Coverage
- For results, standings, photos, Twitter updates, and more information from the 2016 U.S. Team Racing Championship, please visit the event website.
- Follow the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with #Hinman16.
- Check out the complete roster of sailors and their teams who raced this week.
- John Pratt received the Gaye S. Lynn Award for service to team racing as a discipline in the sport of sailing.
Social Media Highlights
Proof of what’s been plaguing #Hinman16 @ussailing #ZIMSAILING pic.twitter.com/MF2nUTvwp5
— Sail Sheboygan (@USSCSheboygan) August 20, 2016
Head to the #LakeMichigan; watch for sails this weekend https://t.co/VVIznwxG6a #ZimSailing #Hinman16 #sheboygan pic.twitter.com/ITeSLFToP1
— Sail Sheboygan (@USSCSheboygan) August 19, 2016
The 2016 U.S. Team Racing Championship is sponsored by Gill North America, Zim Sailing, Hobie Polarized, and Switlik Survival Products.
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the exclusive importer and distributor of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, US and Canada. Gill is a worldwide apparel and accessories brand serving the marine industry with over three decades of experience. Gill specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company develops and markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. Gill products are available through hundreds of independent dealers and select West Marine Stores. For further information, please contact: Gary Barker at 941-505-2111 or gary.barker@gillna.com.
About Zim Sailing
Zim Sailing, headquartered in Warren, RI is the fastest growing manufacturer of one-design sailboats in North America. Currently, Zim manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of training, recreational and performance sailboats in North America. Zim is best known for its C420, Optimist, Byte CII and CFJ. The durability of Zim boats has been proven at all levels to include High Schools, Colleges, Yacht Clubs, and Community Sailing Centers along with the passionate dinghy sailor. In addition, the Zim performance has elevated sailors to podium finishes at several local, regional, National and North American championships since the company’s creation in 2008. Zim is dedicated to the success and growth of dinghy sailing and Zim’s experienced staff and support vehicles can be found at many regattas. For more information please visit www.zimsailing.com or email info@zimsailing.com.
About Switlik Survival Products
Established in 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. has been owned and operated by the Switlik family for four generations and is known worldwide as a manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military/government markets. Our capabilities include a wide variety of anti-exposure and anti-g suits, inflatable life rafts, inflatable life vests, inflation systems and other specialty textile-based military equipment all manufactured at our 85,000 sq. ft. facility located in Trenton, NJ USA. www.switlik.com
About Hobie Polarized
Hobie Polarized is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of polarized eyewear. The brand’s innovative lens technology allows total glare reduction, 100% UV protection, enhances contrast and provides optimum visual acuity. The company’s products are sold worldwide and are used by watermen at all skill and lifestyle levels. The Hobie Polarized headquarters is located in Plainview, New York. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.hobiepolarized.com.