Newport Harbor tops women’s team race

Newport Harbor Yacht Club won the 5th edition of the National Women’s Invitational Team Race for the Thayer Trophy, held June 20-22 in Marblehead, MA. Six teams competed in the 3v3 format sailed in 23-foot Sonar keelboats with spinnakers.

Conditions began on the opening day with wind speeds gusting in the high 20s, but dropped to five knots and significant current on day two. The final day had a smorgasbord of light to moderate sea breeze for the first half that eventually shifted nearly 180 degrees and built to deliver some white-knuckle sailing.

Tied with Eastern Yacht Club and facing two-time Thayer winner New York Yacht Club, Newport Harbor Yacht Club Team Captain Carolyn Smith said they approached that last race with the same mind set as any other. “We were just focusing on strong communication, and positive vibes.”

In fact, Smith said she didn’t even think about it being a must-win. After almost getting flipped backward out of the boat when a big gust at the start caused her boat to round up hard, Smith and her crew recovered quickly and focused on the fact that their other two boats started strong. Their team ended up running away with with a one-two position, which they held and extended from mark one through to the finish.

“That can actually be super stressful because you’re just hoping you don’t lose that first-second position,” Smith said.

As to her team’s overall performance, Smith was quick to note Newport Harbor’s support for women’s team racing and the fact that their team included a mix of experienced team racers and first timers. They are already planning to be back next year to defend the title.

This year’s second-place finisher, Eastern Yacht Club, will likely stand in their way, as will third-place Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association, who has sailed all five editions of the Thayer Trophy, and been in the top three four times.

Event information – Team rosters – Results

Source: Christina Pandapas