An event Olivia would have liked
Published on July 23rd, 2024
The Olivia Constants Team Race was created as a memorial regatta for Olivia Constants following a tragic youth sailing accident in 2011. Per the Olivia Constants Foundation, Olivia’s Team Race represents the way Olivia would have liked to have a sailing event – lots of fun and some racing in-between.
The 2024 Olivia Constants Team Race on July 20-21 fulfilled that mission as 27 skipper/crew teams raced Flying Juniors in 5 to knot winds on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, MD.
Per the unique format of the regatta, the first day of racing consisted of 2 v 2 team racing with random pairs assigned. For every race, each skipper/crew duo raced with a new teammate and against two new teams. After 35 races, each team had the opportunity to meet as many new sailors as possible.
“This regatta is all about having fun,” reminded Principal Race Officer Ian Burman. “It’s also important to be nice to each other on the water, because the team you’re racing against one race may be your teammate in the next round.”
For the second day of racing, 3 v 3 teams were formed based on the records from the previous day. As an example, the teams in 1st, 14th, and 27th from the previous day were formed into a team for 3 v 3 racing, as were the teams in 2nd, 15th, and 26th.
The goal of this format is two-fold: it keeps the teams as even as possible and it allows beginner team racers to sail alongside more experienced sailors, building confidence and comradery. Twelve rounds of 3 v 3 team racing occurred in light, but consistent conditions followed by a petite final and a final round of team racing.
Current and former collegiate All-American team racers and those with 30+ years of racing experience raced alongside those brand new to both team racing and/or sailing. The resulting atmosphere of collaboration and light-hearted competition help contribute to this one-of-a-kind event, all in keeping with Olivia’s spirit.
Results:
1st Place:
Washed (Preston Senior & Corinne Poitras)
Goors Light (Charlie Anderson & Emily Shioutakon)
El Primo (Leonardo Jenkins & Andrew Christiansen)
2nd Place:
Hot Soup (Bradley Adam & Darby Capellin)
Tiller Towards Trouble (Parker Herman & Gabi Fragale)
Just Friends (Jack Wigmore & Allison Currie)
3rd Place:
NADS (Pam Corwin & Paul LaBossiere)
Overcooked (Jake Vickers & Shira Tan)
Make Annapolis Great Again (Ty Ryan & Jon Jon Weed)
Additional awards:
• Best Team Name: Sea Pickles (Marco Welch & Justin Marquez)
• Youngest Combined Age: Chop Chop (Gabriel Sardi & Liam Mackenzie)
• Oldest Combined Age: NADS (Pam Corwin & Paul LaBossiere)
Top photo: Brad Milliken