MARBLEHEAD, Mass. (September 26, 2014) – The first day of the three day U.S. Team Racing Championship featured sunny skies and a light 5-7 knot southeasterly breeze. With tremendous teamwork from the Race Committee and Umpires the competitors were able to complete 58 races. Susie Schnieder, PRO, commented, “We got in as many races as we possibly could get. I had a great Race Committee. We moved the whole course, I think four times. We hit every corner of the outer harbor. I thought 58 was pretty good.”
Most of the competitors have been pleasantly surprised with the performance of the new Zim 15 which is making its debut at the U.S. Team Racing Championship. Many have particularly liked the Zim 15’s handling and acceleration in light air, including Colin Smith (Fort Lauderdale, FL) from Team Do Less who commented, “They are really awesome for team racing. They’re really maneuverable and really easy to sail in sub 5 knot breeze, which is what we had for most of the day”.
Defending champions, Ladies and Gentlemen, sit at the top of the leader board posting a 7-2 record, but have two teams right on their tails, Kirkwood Ticklers and Hoodrat S.W.O.F., both with 7-3 records. See the full results here.
The U.S. Team Racing Championship remains one of the hottest events in the country for the post-collegiate group of sailors. The premier team racing event in the United States is an invitational event. Interested teams applied by resume. The championship will be raced in three-boat/six-person teams. Each competing team consists of three skippers and three crews. Teams will be racing the new Zim 15, a doublehanded, monohull dinghy designed by Steve Clark. The Zim 15 is very maneuverable which will make for some terrific team racing.
Team racing is one of the fastest growing disciplines in sailing. Over 100 races are sailed in just a few days. Races, or flights, are shorter than traditional race courses. Three flights are racing simultaneously with teams swapping out after each race.
Some Social Media Coverage
Zim 15s have arrived!#riggedandready #usteamracing14 http://t.co/NqlOGlNFnI — EYC Sailing (@EYCsailing) September 24, 2014
Media & Coverage
- For results, standings, video highlights, photos, Twitter updates, and more information on the 2014 U.S. Team Racing Championship, please visit the event website.
- For breaking news and race results, follow us on Twitter @USSailing. Use Twitter hashtag – #USTeamRacing14 – to participate in the conversation throughout the championship.
Schedule & Race Course
- First warning is scheduled for 10 am, Friday through Sunday.
- Practice races will be conducted on Thursday.
- The racing area will be located in or in the proximity of Marblehead Harbor.
- Spectators can watch racing from Marblehead Neck.
Scoring Format
- The intended format may be a single or multiple round robins of all teams. Teams may be split into groups for a preliminary round robin or ladder elimination format, potentially followed by a championship round robin or knock-out elimination.
Prizes on the Line
- The highest finishing team meeting all eligibility requirements qualifies to represent the United States at the 2015 ISAF Team Racing World Championship.
- The winning team will be presented the George R. Hinman Trophy.
- US Sailing medals will be awarded to the first, second and third place competitors.
The U.S. Team Racing Championship is sponsored by Gill North America, Old Pulteney, Hobie Polarized and Zim Sailing. This US Sailing National Championship is supported by the Clifford D. Mallory family. This championship is a Sailors for the Sea – Clean Regattas certified event.
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 growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, 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 Sperry Top-Sider. 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 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.
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.