Here is the final update from our team competing in New York at the Global Team Race Regatta – 21-24 July 2022.
The final day started with another umpire briefing which was very inciteful about how umpires make decisions on professional/deliberate fouls, as the penalty is just one turn in this format of racing. Luckily, at this competition there are so many umpires (one per two boats and two umpires per umpire boat). They can penalise anyone who profited from the situation.
There was no delay getting on the water on the final day. The wind was another building breeze which started off at six knots and finished at 24 knots for finals. We only had three races today, finishing off the 2nd gold round robin.
Our goal was to knock off an American team and we got desperately close, but unfortunately fell short. We faced Newport first (who went on to win the overall championship) and gave a much closer race than the final they won. St Francis (who won the 2019 regatta) was next. We had a nice lead until mark 3 where their boat handling skills got the better of us and they sneaked in at the leeward mark and worked their way through.
Last race of the day was against New York Yacht Club, which was again a tight race right the way round, with the lead swapping three times before they ultimately won the race. The unfortunate thing about sharing team racing results is they are black and white; there is no grey area. Despite sailing extremely well, you don’t get a result. New York Yacht Club then faced Corinthian Yacht Club and won an epic semi final which had a lead swap of 15 times per race in a best of three battle. Every race went right down to the wire, with New York Yacht Club progressing to the final to verse the No. 1 ranked Newport Harbour. The team commandeered a 15 metre rib to watch the finals racing! The breeze had picked up to in the 20s and the final was won convincingly by Newport Harbour, 2-0.
So, in the end, SSCBC finished 6th overall, (3rd nation), just behind the Irish. Our team had an incredible time and has significantly developed our skills over the regatta. We have also made connections from around the globe, even attracting a few coaches who might join our coaching team come summer!
The final dinner celebration in the NYYC Clubhouse was a credit to the NYYC and how they managed to get so many people from different countries to all socialise and share their countries’ traditions with each other. One thing that stood out was that a lot of sailors at this event had a connection to SSCBC from past championships and hold SSCBC in the highest regard. Most sailors here have a connection to the 2009 9er Worlds held at the Club. An example of this was the Law family hosting a 49er sailor for two months at that time. They also said one of their most prized possessions is the artwork made for them by Jos Law.
Event Chair, Commodore Lotz found the right way to acknowledge all race officials, umpires and teams for making the effort and putting the event together. He also announced as a Trustee to the Global Team Race Regatta that the next event will take place at Royal Thames in London in September 2023. Sunday Gibson presented Commodore Lotz with our Club Burgee.
Thank you again for all your support.
