Opening Day Team Racing & Match Racing Demo A Success
A group of 30 sailors came together to hold a team racing and match racing demonstration for the crowd attending opening day. Dressed in snow-white pinnies and hats, Team St. Francis battled for bragging rights. Dressed in bright red pinnies and hats, Team Ronstan was ready to test the resolve of the team in an afternoon of sailing that included two match races, and five team races.
Starting off spectators were treated to a match race sailed by members Shawn Bennett, representing Team STFYC, and Russ Silvestri sailing for Team Ronstan. Out of the gate there was action with the boats charging to within inches of each other and umpires initiating a penalty against Shawn Bennett and his team of Dana Riley and Peter Lane. With a penalty on his competitor, Russ Silvestri and his team of Kristin Maberry and JB Cianciarculo were sitting in a comfortable lead when Bennett’s team executed a perfect spinnaker take down at the leeward mark, passing Team Ronstan. From there Team St. Francis opened up a large enough lead to complete their penalty turn before Ronstan could catch up, giving them the win for the match.
The umpires were very busy giving penalties in the second match. Team St. Francis took it on the chin and was levied two penalties before the starting gun even went off. Russ Silvestri and his team were able to take the win in the match leaving the series tied at 1 win each, to be settled later in the grill room.
On to team racing and the true spectator delight. A six-boat fleet comprised of two teams of three charged up the city front sailing their J/22s within inches of the rocks and the grill room crowd that was cheering them on. The course was a “Z” pattern that put the leeward mark within sight of the crowd assembled on the race deck and what a show it was. Often times the teams were so heavily involved with setting “mark traps” and attempting to get a foul on their competitors that it took several minutes before any boat decided to actually round the mark. The boat handling demonstrated by the sailors was fantastic and many spectators commented that it was the most thrilling sailing they had ever witnessed. The crowd was kept current on what as happening on the water thanks to the superb commentary from our own John Callahan.
For many members, watching the match racing and team racing was the first tangible proof the club has enthusiastically moved forward with the purchase of J/22s for our own club boats program. While the boats sailed on opening day were borrowed from Cal Maritime, our own J/22s will look very similar and will begin arriving from the builder in June. The club has purchased seven boats and is currently looking to fund two additional boats with member donations.
Get Involved
You can learn how to match race and team race by attending the clinics being offered at St. Francis in 2010. Each clinic consists of 3 Saturday on-the water sessions along with evening classrooms the night before. Sign up online at the links below and the cost is $125 per person.
Excitement Builds
Judging by the crowd’s excitement, it’s clear that team racing and match racing are going to be a big hit with spectators and sailors alike. Don’t miss this chance to participate in or watch exciting sailing.
Links to online entry in the team racing and match racing clinics:
https://event-manager.compete-at.com/stfrancisyc/TR101
https://event-manager.compete-at.com/stfrancisyc/MR101
Link to photos of the event provided by Kristen Lane:http://gallery.me.com/brickhouse539#100051
Stay tuned for more reports!
St. Francis Team Racing
No comments:
Post a Comment