Strong winds and high seas mark the
opening of the U.S. Team Race Championship and the Hinman Invitational
Team Race Regatta.
Over 250 sailors, race committee and umpires were
on hand this morning to help kick off this year’s U.S. Team Race
Championship (Hinman) and Hinman Masters. What was facing them, however,
was a persistent north easterly wind blowing a steady 30+ with puffs
well into the 40 knots per hour range. When the wind appeared to be
subsiding, both the Championship fleet, sailing in Vanguard 15s and the
Masters sailing in Ideal 18s headed out for the first heats. Both fleets
sent off the first heats as the wind roared back in with gusto. The
Vanguards, with their boldly colored sails, found they could often
outpace the umpire boats tailing them. Blazing reaching legs resembled
the conditions these same boats experienced just two weeks ago at the
Team Racing World Championships. The Ideals, further out into the sound
and, at one point, shrouded by fog, had a tougher time. Without the
protection of a breakwater, the Ideals found the slogging much tougher
and many sustained rigging and sail damage.
Prudently, the Race Committee sent both fleets
back to shore to wait for the wind to ease, to lick wounds and make
repairs. Oh, did we forget to mention the fact that it was raining all
day with temperatures in the low 60’s making the conditions trying at
the very least.
At about 1300, the Championship fleet went back
onto the water to be followed about an hour later by the Masters. On the
Championship course 49 races were sailed by 1800 when the fleets were
sent in. When the results were tallied, reigning World Champions and
two-time U.S. Team Racing Champs Cape Cod Whishbone was in the lead with
a perfect 8-0 score. In hot pursuit with a 6-1 record was the U.S.’s
other Worlds team, second seeded Silver Panda. The next two places found
two of the host club’s teams, Larchmont Yacht Club and the Larchmont
Yacht Club Ligers with 4-3 and 4-4 records, respectively.
On the Masters circle, the conditions allowed for
only 15 races to be completed with Pequot Yacht Club looking strong
winning all three of their races. Lots of racing left!
Sailing is expected to continue tomorrow morning
with the first gun scheduled for 0930. The weather forecast good sailing
conditions.
