If you build it, they will come!

By Gavin O’Hare
The first inaugural Olivia’s Team Racing Invitational (Aug 24-25) was promoted as a FUN weekend of exciting team racing and the opportunity to support the Olivia Constants Foundation, born from 14-year old Olivia’s tragic sailing death in Annapolis, MD.

The format was two on two team racing on Saturday followed by three on three team racing on Sunday, sailed in Club 420 dinghies provided by Annapolis Yacht Club and event host Severn Sailing Association. Interest was huge (58 boat loads)! Families divided themselves into teams. Big boaters tried out team racing in dinghies. Juniors and instructors all came out to join in the fun.

Teams were composed of just one boat load of a skipper and crew, and the initial format of random two on two pairs facilitated teams learning from each other and getting to know one another. The combination on Saturday of team racing, four music bands in the afternoon, and a good cause generated significant interest from young and old and near and far.

At the end of Saturday, the initial random pairing results helped to identify stronger and weaker teams. For Sunday, three on three teams were built with a strong crew, a weaker crew, and an average crew. These 18 team were cast into a round robin regatta. The winds were less on Sunday and resulted in an expedited regatta with lack of completion of the round robin.

Regardless of the completion of intended racing (click here for results), participants had a great time and the event was a huge success. Olivia would have been proud of us! Her story is worth hearing and the interest in her cause and this regatta is an indicator for us all!