Saturday, September 27

Early morning fog encased Oyster Bay harbor threatening a delay on the third day of the United States Match Racing Championships, hosted by Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club and sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A, Dry Creek Vineyard and Harken. But, as it gradually lifted, the competitors, in a still veiled West Harbor, continued the last 6 flights of their second round robin, finishing the round by late afternoon. Winds were between 5-10, easterly and some what variable. Dave Perry’s team (Pequot Yacht Club) was first and Brian Angel’s team (King Harbor Yacht Club) was second. Taylor Canfield (St. Thomas Yacht Club), Scott DeCurtis (King Harbor Yacht Club) and Jon Singsen (New York Yacht Club/Larchmont Yacht Club) were tied for the third and forth place slots.

The three-way tie was determined by the umpires imposing the rules for deciding such situations in a run-off race. The results of this tie-breaker moved Taylor into third place and Jon into fourth place, qualifying them for the semi-finals scheduled for that afternoon. Scott took a non-qualifying fifth place.

Race Committee was able to get off the first flight of the semi-finals, concluding the day at about 4:30, as competitors in this round must change boats after each flight.

Glenn Oliver, one of the umpires who officiated the tie-breaker said, “You can’t resolve ties until the end, and it looked like we were going to have a lot, based on the level of competition; close racing means ties. Three to four ties are unusual, but you go by the rule book and it all takes care of itself”.

Taylor Canfield who won a third place finish to compete in the semi-finals, commented,“ It all came down to our boat handling and the crew work; this made it all happen for us in the end”.

And, while Ned Jones, a member of John Loe’s team from Southern Yacht Club won’t be competing further, he offered some comments on the regatta as it comes to a close, ”I was very impressed with how Seawanhaka handled the very difficult format that this Championship requires, as it is under assault from weather, competitors and a variety of factors; the Race Committee made a very good decision to complete the two round robins, and go immediately into the semi-finals. In the end, cream rises to the top; and that’s what happened here”.