U.S. Team Racing Championship
for the George R. Hinman Trophy

History

The George R. Hinman Trophy is one of US SAILING's most prestigious championships. In 1999, US SAILING reorganized its championships to feature four high-profile events as championships; the Mallory, the Adams, the Prince of Wales and the Hinman.  

US SAILING’s first national team race championship was held in 1981. It grew out of a regatta initiated by Sailing World magazine and was so successful that it was adopted by US SAILING. 

The trophy was donated in recognition of George R. Hinman’s many years of service and contributions to yachting. He was a member of the crew that won the second championship for the Sears Cup, a top ranking sailor in the International One-Design Class and for many years in the forefront of Long Island Sound frostbite dinghy racing. He sailed many ocean races and took part in the America’s Cup in various capacities as helmsman, syndicate manager and chairman of the America’s Cup (selection) Committee. A former President of NAYRU (now US SAILING), he also was a Vice President of the International Yacht Racing Union (now ISAF).

The U.S. Team Racing Championship is raced in three-boat/six-person teams. It has enjoyed several formats. Initially, 12-18 teams were selected based on resumes. Soon it became so popular that it was changed to a ladder event in the hope of encouraging more local team racing. Ladder events require a lot of time for the winning team which conflicts with busy work schedules of the younger people who typically sail the Hinman. As a result, the format was changed to an 'invitation based upon team resume' event. 

When Gary Bodie became Chairman of the US SAILING Team Racing Championship Committee in 1992, he restored the popularity of the event making it the hottest event in the country for the post-collegiate group of sailors. Brad Dellenbaugh became Chairman in 1996. As a keen competitor and college coach, Brad contributed wise insight into the fun aspects of the Hinman and enhanced its prestige worldwide. Brad bid to host the Team Race World's in 1998 in Miami and ran a brilliantly successful regatta with Gary Bodie as Race Committee chairman. Brad and Gary continue to be strong advocates of team racing worldwide and are supporting the bid to include team racing in a future Olympics. Betsy Altman became the Chairman of the event in 2000 and in 2004, Gavin O'Hare became Chair..

You will recognize the names of Hinman participants and winners. They are the best and brightest of our younger sailors. Kevin Hall and Zach Leonard have sailed on four winning teams and Mike Zani and Megan Bohlen on three. The list of competitors is studded with stars such as Terry McLaughlin (Canada), Peter Isler, Steve Benjamin, Dave Ullman, Dave and Brad Dellenbaugh, John Kolius, Ed Adams – to name a few.

Recently, we had a discussion about the first umpires. We think the first umpired event was in 1990 at 

Encinal YC, Alameda, CA, where USTRA was formed, and the event went away from being a ladder qualification regatta.  This was likely the first Hinman under Gary Bodie's chairmanship.  He remembers that he tried to be both an umpire and regatta organizer, and quickly learned that was a big mistake. Newport RI and Hyannis came next, both umpired. Gary is almost certain that the Hinman he hosted at USNA in Annapolis previous to his chairmanship was not umpired.  And, he is certain that the Hinman he competed in at San Francisco YC in Belvedere previous to that was not umpired.  He remembers waiting around for protest decisions.... the last time that happened at a Hinman.
 
 

Section of Competitors and Regatta Sites

The U.S. Team Racing Championship attracts the best team racers in the country. There are no automatic qualifiers but the winner of the U.K. Wilson Trophy team racing regatta and winners of the ISSA and ICYRA Team Racing Championships are encouraged to apply. The winner of the Hinman is encouraged to apply to the Wilson Trophy, as well. 12-14 teams will be selected and local teams are encouraged to apply. 

In even numbered years, the Hinman serves as the U.S. selection trials for the ISAF World Team Racing Championship that is held in the following odd number year. The qualifiers are generally held in the middle of the country so that teams can fly from either coast to participate. The qualifiers alternate from the Midwest region to the gulf coast southern area. In odd numbered years, the Hinman is run alternately on the east and west coast and attempts are made to move the regatta around those regions to encourage participation. Winners qualify for the Wilson Trophy to be held in the following even number year.

If you are interested in hosting and running the U.S. Team Racing Championship, please contact Gavin O'Hare, Chair.