Friday, September 26

After a morning of soaking rain and strong easterly winds at 20-30 with gusts to 35 knots, the second day of the United States Match Racing Championship got underway just before noon. Hosted by Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, and sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Dry Creek Vineyard and Harken, the racing was once again staged in West Harbor, Oyster Bay. But, the flatter water advantage gave way to some rougher seas.

The day remained windy and very grey with occasionally light rain. Weather improved gradually until the late afternoon.

This was another long day, ending at 6:30p.m., as three flights from the first round-robin and 5 of the 11 flights of today’s second round-robin were completed.

Final results from the first round-robin have the Pequot Yacht Club team led by Dave Perry as the winner, in what is a remarkably competitive field. Cumulative scores after 5 of the 11 flights of the second round-robin have Brian Angel (King Harbor Yacht Club),  Scott DeCurtis (King Harbor Yacht Club) and Dave Perry sharing the top scores.

Tomorrow is forecasted to bring lighter, but variable winds. A few periods of showers are predicted, and some may be heavy, but likely not raining all day.

Asked about today’s racing, Brian Angel commented,” We had a tough start and lost the first two races, but we finished strong and won the last two races. We corrected our issues and we feel confident looking forward”. Brian added with great admiration, “I think Race Committee did an amazing job of getting in 8 races facing today’s conditions.”

Additional perspective was provided by US SAILING's  Match Racing Chair and Umpire Bruce Cook, “We have had some very great sailing over the last two days. The events are going very well, and we intend to finish the second round-robin on Saturday and go into the semi-finals in the afternoon.”