Jet Lag Captures Hinman Trophy, Wins 2017 U.S. Team Racing Championship

by

 
OYSTER BAY, N.Y. (October 22, 2017) – This weekend’s 2017 U.S. Team Racing Championship for the George R. Hinman Trophy featured a “who’s who” of college sailing’s present and past. Jet Lag, a team composed of Stanford University alumni sailors, had all the right combinations this week, especially on Sunday, as the Northern California based team captured their first Hinman Trophy. They placed fifth last year and second in 2015.

In a close finish to the Round Robin series, Jet Lag went 2-0 on Sunday to improve to 10-2 overall for the Championship. They edged Hawks Peacocks and Comm Ave Convicts by a point in the final standings. Hawks Peacocks, a team comprised mostly of Roger Williams University sailors, went 0-1 today and 9-3 for the Championship. Comm Ave Convicts, comprised of current and past Boston College sailors, also finished 9-3 overall and 1-1 on Sunday. There was no knock-out series in this regatta. See results and final standings.

Jet Lag’s team is composed of skippers Mateo Vargas (San Francisco, Calif.), Oliver Toole (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Kevin Laube (San Francisco, Calif.) and crew Samantha Steele (San Francisco, Calif.), Carolyn Kelly Ortel (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Yuri Namikawa (San Francisco, Calif.).

Placing second was Comm Ave Convicts. Their team features skippers Wade Waddell (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Scott Sinks (San Diego, Calif.) and Raul Rios (La Colina, Guaynabo, PR), and Emma Perry (Lexington, Mass.), Allison Ferraris (Manhasset, N.Y.) and Katja Sertl (Annapolis, Md.).

Finishing third was Hawks Peacocks. Their team includes skippers Conner Harding (Naples, Fla.), Mackenzie Bryan (Chistansted, St. Croix VI) and Martim Anderson (Bristol, R.I.), and crew Mike McBrien (East Patchogue, N.Y.), Jennifer Agell (Huntington, N.Y.), and Marina Cano Sostre (Boston, Mass.). Here is the entire list of teams.

Event Coverage & Social Media

Teams patiently waited out another lengthy postponement this morning. The race committee was hoping to catch some morning breeze and scheduled the first warning signal for 9:00 am. Fortunately, the sea breeze filled in earlier this afternoon, which allowed the race committee to finish the Round Robin.

The regatta was made official on Saturday after they tallied 20 races late in the afternoon and early evening, completing 80% of the Round Robin which constitutes an official regatta. They finished 53 races on Friday.

This US Sailing National Championship included an impressive list of accomplished teams and experienced team racers, many of whom have competed in and won this Championship. From top-notch one-design sailors in fleet racing circles to current and former high-level college sailors and coaches, this US Sailing National Championship attracts a wide range of sailors, both men and women.

First held in 1981, this premier team racing event in the United States is an invitational event. Interested teams applied by resume and international teams are invited to compete. The championship is raced in three-boat/six-person teams (three skippers and three crews).

The U.S. Team Racing Championship remains one of the hottest events in the country. Over 100 races can be sailed in just a few days. Races, or flights, are shorter than traditional race courses and are raced on a “Digital N” course. Three flights can race simultaneously with teams swapping out after each race with each team wearing a unique identifying pinny or bib.

The regatta was initiated by Sailing World magazine, and after years of growth and popularity, the event was adopted by US Sailing and became known as the U.S. Team Racing Championship for the George R. Hinman Trophy. The trophy was donated in recognition of George R. Hinman’s many years of service and contributions to sailing.

Social Media Highlights from Sunday – #Hinman17

The 2017 U.S. Team Racing Championship was hosted by Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club and sponsored by Gill North America, Zim Sailing, Regatta Ginger Beer, Old Pulteney, and Hobie Polarized.

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 advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, 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. 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 Regatta Ginger Beer
Regatta is a brand premium craft mixers using the finest natural ingredients to create distinctive flavors. Our flagship product – Regatta Ginger Beer – comes together with notes of ginger and hints of citrus to make an extremely clean tasting and refreshing ginger beer that’s perfect for mixing cocktails or enjoying by itself. Regatta craft mixers and sodas are non-alcoholic, non-gmo and gluten free. Regatta Ginger Beer was awarded the 2017 “Platinum Medal” in the prestigious International SIP Award competition and was also the 2017 Consumer’s Choice Award winner. Regatta has been deeply rooted in supporting the sport of sailing since it’s inception and is proud to be the Official Ginger Beer of US Sailing.

About Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is strongly rooted in the whisky’s nautical heritage and is commonly referred to as ‘The Maritime Malt.’ Old Pulteney is the Official Scotch of US Sailing and recently released a limited-edition ‘Navigator’ expression, commemorating the brand’s sponsorship of the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Crafted in Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland, the distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in the heart of “Pulteneytown,” one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. Each Old Pulteney expression is carefully crafted and carries the windswept and rugged character of the North and the salty, fresh air of the North Sea. It is distributed by International Beverage, Inc. Visit Old Pulteney on Facebook or at www.oldpulteney.com for more information.

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.