USA Dominates Invitational Team Racing Challenge

The second edition of the Invitational Team Racing Challenge regatta in Porto Cervo concluded with a resounding victory for California’s Newport Harbor Yacht Club. Over the course of three day’s racing (June 16-18), organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the participating teams completed a total of 62 matches in varied sea and wind conditions.

The team flying the Newport Harbor burgee, together with the crews from New York Yacht Club and Marblehead’s Eastern Yacht Club, proved to be strong contenders from the off. While NYYC racked up a perfect scorecard in the first day’s Round Robin, winning 5 out 5 races, Newport Harbor YC managed to consistently win each one of their races in the Round Robins of days two and three.

The battle to attain second position overall – and consequently a place in the final knock-out round – was fought between New York YC and Eastern Yacht Club. However, after a lackluster performance in the final Round Robin from the New York team, it was Eastern that pipped their USA counterparts to the post by just one point.

The final, which took place in 15 knots of Mistral breeze accompanied by warm sunshine, once again saw Newport Harbor dominate as they immediately tucked away two wins in the best-of-three competition.

The final leaderboard therefore sees an all-American top three with Newport Harbor YC followed by Eastern YC in second and New York Yacht Club in third place. The team representing host club YCCS claims fourth place ahead of Royal Thames Yacht Club and Gamla Stans YC of Sweden.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo commented during the prize giving: “Team racing is a fantastic discipline, it really underlines the fundamental values of sailing: teamwork, concentration and tactical ability. This week we were lucky enough to have three American Clubs who have a great deal of experience in this specialty, from whom we can only learn. Conditions were varied but today everyone had the real ‘Costa Smeralda’ experience, with ideal wind and sea conditions and sunshine making for a perfect day’s racing. My thanks go to all the teams who travelled here from near and far and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2018.”

The event was held in the new J70 fleet of the YCCS. Each club participates with a team of two crews of three people with a total of eight Clubs will be represented.

Event details – Photos

Source: Jill Campbell, YCCS Press Office