Invitational Team Racing Challenge at YC Costa Smeralda - Overall
by Jill Campbell 18 Jun 2016 19:22 BST
15-18 June 2016
Newport Harbor Yacht Club claims victory
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, 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 lacklustre performance in the final Round Robin from the New York team, it was Eastern that pipped their NYC 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."
To round off the event, which has combined competitive racing with first-rate social events since day one, teams are invited to a gala dinner and prize giving at the YCCS Clubhouse overlooking Porto Cervo Marina.
The YCCS sporting calendar continues with the Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 (24 - 26 June) and the Audi Settimana delle Bocche - 52 Super Series from 27th June to 2nd July.
Quantum Sails is Technical Partner of the event and of the YCCS J/70 fleet used for this regatta and throughout the season.
For further information visit the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda website.