US Team Racing Championship tough competition

by Marlieke de Lange Eaton on 8 Sep 2006 A total of 90 sailors are lined up to compete in the U.S. Team Racing Championship for US SAILING’s Hinman Trophy, kicking off with racing on Friday, September 8 and running through Sunday, September 10 at San Diego Yacht Club in California. With an average age of 24, a closer look at the wide range of backgrounds of the competitors at this National Championship offers insight to the popularity of this type of sailboat racing in the U.S.

From world champions to local club champions and high school athletes, the competition promises to be intense because there is even more than a National Championship title at stake: the top six finishing teams at the regatta will qualify to compete in the U.S. qualifier for the 2007 ISAF World Team Racing Championship. Sailed on Vanguard 15s, the U.S. Team Racing Championship is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc., Nautica, Vanguard Sailboats, and Dry Creek Vineyard.

Veterans and reigning world champions Cape Cod WHishbone will face 14 other strong teams. Cape Cod WHishbone, made up of Tim Fallon, Karen Renzulli, Tim Wadlow, Erin Largay, Patrick Rynne, and Galen Largay, have won the U.S. Team Racing Championship twice before (2003 and 2004). While last year’s U.S. Team Racing Champions are absent this year, it will not be easy for Cape Cod WHishbone to pull off the hat trick, since one of the other teams competing will be Silver Panda, which finished second at the last Team Racing Worlds.

While Cape Cod WHishbone and Silver Panda may be the favorites to take home the Hinman Trophy, we can’t overlook any of the other teams. Perhaps this year, the big upset will come from one of the relatively unknown teams, such as the Pointers, the youngest team competing in the regatta with an average age of barely 16. Made up of six San Diego region sailors – Benjamin Todter, Nicolas Kaschak, Briana Provancha, Caleb Paine, Morgane Renoir, and Claire Bagg – this team will have the home-court advantage. Several other teams who regularly sail on the waters off San Diego will also enjoy showing off their skills close to home, such as Team San Diego Yacht Club and the Bay Area Babes, the only all-female team.

Whatever the outcome will be, the regatta will be busy for the nearly 20 on-the-water judges and umpires who are responsible for the more than 80 races scheduled to take place over three days of racing. With the race course scheduled to be set close to San Diego’s downtown area, spectators should be able to watch the racing from shore.

For the complete entry list and other information on the U.S. Team Racing Championship, please visit the event website at www.ussailing.org/championships/adult/ustrc. The U.S. Team Racing Championship is part of US SAILING’s National Adult Championships series.

About Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc.
Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America’s Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently endeavored to recognize and encourage excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including US SAILING Championships, disabled sailing, as well as offshore, one-design and women’s events. www.rolex.com

About Vanguard Sailboats
A dedicated supporter of team racing nationwide, Vanguard Sailboats is a long-time supporter of the U.S. Team Racing Championship. Manufacturer of the boats used in the event, the Vanguard 15, Vanguard Sailboats has been a dedicated sponsor of numerous U.S. National Championships for more than a decade. Vanguard supports and sponsors sailing at many levels, encouraging sailors in the U.S. to participate in and enjoy the sport, and ensuring great competition among sailors. Visit their website at www.teamvanguard.com.

About Nautica
Nautica returns for its second consecutive year as a sponsor of the U.S. Team Racing Championship. Long associated with the sport of sailing, Nautica is an Official Sponsor of US SAILING and the Official Apparel Supplier to the US Sailing Team. Founded in 1983, Nautica is a leading global lifestyle brand with products ranging from men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories to a complete home collection. Nautica products are styled in timeless design and premium quality that enhance our consumer’s energetic lifestyle yet recognize their desire for balance. Since August 2003, Nautica is part of VF Corporation, a leader in branded apparel. For additional information, please go to www.nautica.com.

About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing and sailboat racing. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization’s mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing and racing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships, the US Sailing Teams and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams.

For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.