Navy wins Sheilds Trophy for service and maritime schools

Ten teams competed for the 2013 Shields Trophy Regatta, the collegiate event for service and maritime schools sailed in the Naval Academy’s fleet of 44’ sloops in Annapolis, MD on September 21-22.

Saturday – Challenging conditions with a building southerly and unusually large waves and chop for the Chesapeake. Navy jumped out to a quick lead winning the first race and a close second in race #2. Cal Maritime started slowly with a 2,4 but came on strong to win the final two races of the day. After the first two races the wind was gusting into the mid 20s. With equipment preservation in mind, PRO Fred Dersch opted to restrict sail selection to #3 jibs and no spinnakers for the final two. This put a huge premium on starts and upwind boat handling. At the end of the day, Cal was in first with Navy 1 point back and NY Maritime one point ahead of KP.

Sunday ­ With the cold front passed, conditions for the day were typical fall Annapolis with NNW winds starting in the high teens. Most teams opted for #3 jibs for the first leg of race 1 of the day and it was unclear which was best. However, the breeze was dropping and Navy elected to change downwind which proved decisive as they passed Coast Guard and Cal Maritime to take the win. For the second race, Cal nailed the pin and worked the favored left side while Navy found themselves buried after the start. Cal went wire to wire for the win while Navy scratched back to a 5th just nipping Maine Maritime at the finish. For the final race, Cal was sitting on a 3 point lead but no doubt nervous given the flukey conditions. NY Maritime won the pin with Navy safely to windward while Cal couldn’t fetch the pin due to the building ebb. NY Maritime went up and down in the lead with Navy in second and Cal Maritime back in 6th and forced left outside a number of boats. Navy stayed in phase to slip past NY and rounded the last weather mark well ahead of NY. Cal did not give up, passing two boats. In the end it was not enough as Navy held the tiebreak which ended up being the deciding factor.

A huge thanks to PRO Fred Dersch and his NASS Race Committee team who braved the big conditions Saturday to get in the full slate of races. Thanks also to the volunteer safety officers who were treated to some great entertainment on the race course.

Final Results
1. Navy, 1-2-2-4-1-5-1; 16
2. Cal Maritime, 2-4-1-1-3-1-4; 16
3. Kings Point, 6-3-3-2-5-4-6; 29
4. NY Maritime, 4-1-5-5-6-7-2; 30
5. Mass Maritime, 3-6-4-3-4-2-9; 31
6. Coast Guard, 5-5-6-9-2-3-8; 38
7. Maine Maritime, 8-8-8-8-9-6-3; 50
8. Royal Military College, 7-7-7-6-10-10-5; 52
9. St. Mary’s College, 9-10-10-11-7-8-7; 62
10. Army, 10-9-9-10-8-9-10; 65

Jahn S. Tihansky
Director, Varsity Offshore Sailing Team
United States Naval Academy