Choppy seas. Heavy winds. Twelve teams. Four days.
Those were just a few factors to deal with for Marblehead’s Corinthian Yacht Club, which prevailed in this year’s Team Racing World Championship held in Newport, Rhode Island this past week.
The club led the way from Day 1, finishing with 20 points and losing just five of 25 races through the two-on-two format. The race began Thursday, May 29 and was sailed out New York Yacht Club Harbour Court, organized by the New York Yacht Club in conjunction with World Sailing.
Kiwi Racing (NZL) placed second, Baltimore SC (IRE) third, and West Kirby Hawks (GBR) fourth. Only six teams – New York Yacht Club, Kiwi Racing, Newport Harbor Yacht Club, Baltimore SC, Corinthian Yacht Club, and West Kirby Hawks – advanced to Stage 2.
“Conditions were really challenging and there were a lot of good teams out there,” said Corinthian Yacht Club skipper Will Bailey. “It was important to be consistent throughout the event. We started really well and tried not to lose back-to-back races, and I think that was the difference. It was total combat out there; we had a lot of good races with the home team: New York Yacht Club. We know each other well and every race was a fistfight to the end. This week went a long way to help us understand the 2v2 format, and it was great to see all the international teams get up to speed quickly – I think it’s a keeper. The Sonars are great boats for team racing and we love what the New York Yacht Club is doing here. CYC has just bought a fleet of Sonars, so we look forward to doing more of this.”
Event co-chair Susan Daly said there was “phenomenal racing” through tough conditions.
“From fog and rain, to big breeze, no breeze – you name it. I think everybody sailed well, and certainly, when we got to the final gold fleet Round Robin, we saw team racing at its best,” she said. “We had amazing support on and off the water from all the volunteers, Race Committee, umpires, and certainly the Sailing Office and the House. The staff here really know how to do this the best. It’s really obvious that Team Racing is very much at the core of New York Yacht Club, and we are really excited to have been able to put on this show.”
