Another group of parents ran the SAISA South Points #3 high school regatta in Hollywood. A third group of LYC green fleet skippers went to Miami for the Fall Harvest Regatta. Several college students raced in the collegiate single-handed nationals in Chicago. In Miami, the Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association ran races for, among others, the Etchells and 29er classes. LYC sailors raced both of those classes.
Throw in laser practices both days in the ocean, and a couple of kids messing around in a Finn and an International 420, and it was indeed, BUSY! Phillip Muller and his staff of coaches at the sailing center are to be commended for doing a yeoman's job of coordinating people and assets.
Well done!
LYC hosts the VI° Lauderdale Yacht Club Trophy
Nov 09, 2011 10:55 am |
Last weekend saw the 6th iteration of the Lauderdale Yacht Club Trophy, a team racing regatta for International Optimist Dinghies (Optis), held in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
A unique aspect of this Opti regatta is that all of the boats, sails and gear are provided by the organizing authority. The races take place within watermelon-seed-spitting distance of the yacht club docks, so the parents, coaches and kids who are not racing have a front row seat to watch all of the action.
On Saturday, Seventy-nine of the top Opti sailors from all over the US came to LYC to take part in the regatta. One of the early favorites was the team composed of the five young skippers who will represent the USA in New Zealand at next month's IOD World Championship. They faced a tough challenge from the other 15 teams.
After 96 round robin races, using our own Modified Swiss League format, the top five teams went on to the semifinals and finals. Making it through to the quarterfinals were Team M (composed of Florida and Texas skippers), Coral Reef Yacht Club 1, Lauderdale Yacht Club 1 and Team FOR A. Waiting for them in the finals was the USODA World Team.
In the knock-out quarters, CRYC1 defeated Team FOR A, and LYC1 defeated Team M. LYC1 next took on CRYC1 in the best of three semifinals, winning the first two races, to advance to the finals against Team USA. While getting ready for that best of three finals, Team FOR A beat Team M in a knock out race for 4th and 5h.
By the finals, the wind was up to a steady 12 knots with several gusts to 18. Team USA elected to use the pink sails and LYC 1 selected the green. The first race saw multiple fouls flagged by the team of umpires, led by IU Tom Rinda. Team USA held on at the finish to take the first race.
Race two saw LYC 1 jump out into a winning combination which they were able to defend, taking the win. It all came down to the 104th race of the weekend. At the leeward marks, LYC was able to convert a 3-4-5-7 into a 2-3-4-6, which they improved on the last leg taking the race and the championship.
Congratulations to team LYC 1, composed of twins Allie and Liza Toppa, Sophia Reineke, Anna Weis, and Nic Muller.
Three other LYC teams competed in the regatta. On LYC 2 the skippers were: Paul Streater, David Hein, Eduardo Mintzias, Jensen McTighe, and Mack Fox. LYC 3 was made up of: Max Gillette, Julia Leighton, Cameron Grubb, Greyson Dixon, and Calli Lewis. LYC 4 sailors were: Luke Welker, Stephen Streater, Garrett Dixon, Chase Sabadash, and Rhett Ullman. Congratulations to all who participated.
We'd like to give a big shout out to Atlantis Weathergear who once again provided very cool "trophies" for the regatta. First place received beautiful Microburst Jackets.
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A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the team race regatta
Nov 09, 2011 10:06 am |
By Phillip Muler, LYC Sailmaster. First off, CONGRATULATIONS to LYC GREEN teammates: Sophia Reineke, Alie Toppa, Liza Toppa, Anna Weis, & Nic Muller for taking 1st place in the FL State Team Racing Championship this past weekend. This weekend was a great success for our Club and all our sailors. Hosting 12 teams with sailors from around the country and holding 95 quality races took great effort.
Thanks to our coaches, Juan Carlos, Colin Page, and Nicole Popp, onshore for keeping our sailors motivated and focused on the races. And thanks to all the sailors who helped out rigging, de-rigging, and most importantly lending their spars and hulls for this event. Stepping up to make this event happen by lending your gear has not gone unnoticed, we very much appreciate all of your help.
Thank you to John Payne the event "OA" and his co-chair Jorge Agnese who handled the finish boat and scoring. I want to extend a special thanks to the PRO Patrick Sly and to Paula Sly, Julie Shestopalov, Mike Toppa, Anne Streater, Ana Maria Carbonell, and George Muller for giving your time and efforts on the water.
Hats off to Bob Meagher, for not only umpiring at least 31 races, but having the patience afterwards to kindly explain each call to every frustrated sailor that approached his boat. A tip of the green flag to Tom Rinda and Marty Ottenheimer our two other umpires. This is the 6th year Tom has volunteered to umpire this regatta.
Thanks to Jackie Waddell and her group of volunteer parents who each morning put out a nutritious breakfast for all. Thanks to Ron McTighe for making all necessary repairs to boats and spars between races. Also a shout out to Ron and Mike Toppa for loaning the regatta their RIBs. And a HUGE thank you to Steve and Jody Lewis for hosting the party on Saturday night.
Well done to all our sailors. The next big Team Racing event is January 13-15, more information on that event forthcoming.
LYC Green Fleet races at Miami Yacht Club Fall Harvest Regatta
Nov 09, 2011 09:59 am | newsletter writer
Seven members of the LYC Green Fleet Opti class (for the least experienced sailors) traveled to Miami last weekend to take part in the Fall Harvest Regatta. Morgan Wilson handled the coaching duties for the kids.
They raced ten races over the two days in some very windy conditions. At the end of it all, LYC's Edie Holden finished 2nd in the 32 boat fleet. He was joined by fellow LYC skippers, Coleman Glazer, Carla Cervoni, Brian Cervoni, Nicolas Monaco, Michael Moss and Griffin Barron. Congratulations to all the young sailors!
Anna Tunnicliffe Named 2011 ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year
Nov 09, 2011 09:09 am |
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO -- ISAF and Rolex are proud to announce that the male and female winners of the 2011 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are:
Iker Martínez and Xabier Fernández (ESP) and Anna Tunnicliffe (USA)
United States athlete Anna Tunnicliffe was one of five nominees present at the ceremony, held in the impressive Cuartel de Ballaja. It is the second time that the ISAF Sailing World Cup champion in Women's Match Racing has been awarded the honour, having previously achieved the recognition in 2009.
An emotional Tunnicliffe was presented with the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Trophy and Rolex timepiece and commented, "Thank you very much for this award, it is a true honour. Congratulations to all of the other nominees, you guys are fantastic and amazing sailors. I really have to thank everyone that's been part of the reason I won this award, especially my team. This is truly a team effort. I couldn't have done it without them. I would also like to thank my family and my husband for being very supportive and my sponsors. It is truly amazing. Thank you."
LYC Hosts SAISA South Points #3 High School Regatta
Nov 08, 2011
Conditions: shifty NW breeze at 8knots, getting lighter throughout midday and going to the north. Clear skies most of the day. Late in the day the expected cold front arrived with increasing wind approaching 20knots.
Peter Commette set mostly windward/leeward twice around courses with each race lasting approximately 14 minutes. He ran a few triangle windward/leeward races with a downwind finish or an upwind finish at the end of the day.
There was one protest allowed, several OCS calls, one breakdown with a petition for redress that was not allowed. Several boats were repaired throughout the day by Jeff Kerr.
Nine races in each division were completed in the allotted time. The results were very close between many schools throughout the day. There were some dramatic lead changes especially in many of the downwind finishes. There were lots of large puffs and wind shifts. Boat handling and speed were a premium.
Of interest to LYC, Saint Thomas won the regatta with Saint Thomas JV placing 4th. Lauderdale High finished 11th with Cardinal Gibbons finishing 17th.
Thanks to:
Peter Commette and Are Freisecke for running the races,
Charlie Medely for pin boat,
Dave Williford and Jeff Jones on the upwind mark/finish boat,
Clyde Wright and his crew (Dave Rulien, Buzz Smith, Rob Miller, Ole Parker, Pat Ross, and Maggie Wright) providing and cooking lunch,
Jill Harris, Linda Wright, Nancy Weis for registration, photography and trophies and Nancy for overseeing the maintenance of facilities throughout the day, Bobby Noonan and the HS sailing coaches for hearing protests,
Jeff Kerr and Martin Harris for 420 repair.
St. Thomas Aquinas;
A. Christopher Williford (10); Skipper, Audrey Wright (12); Crew.
B. Julian Harris (12); Skipper, Emma Kerr (11); Crew.
St. Thomas Aquinas, JV:
A. Eric Weis (10); Skipper, Mike Jones (11): Crew 1-8 Kai Friesecke (10): Crew 9.
B. Duncan Williford (10); Skipper, Mason Bradburry (11): 1-2, 5-8, crew J.T. Fox (10);: 3-4 crew Mike Jones (11): 9 crew
Fort Lauderdale High School:
A. Nikki Medley (11): skipper. Alice Schreiber (12) crew 1-4.
Alec Agnese (12): crew 5-9.
B. Matias Agnese (10): skipper 1-4, crew 7-9
Mac Agnese (12): skipper 5-9 Saylor Pierce (12): crew 1-4. Alice Schreiber (12) crew 5-6.
Lihan shines at CRYC Annual Regatta
Nov 08, 2011 02:33 pm | newsletter writer
As the winter Etchells season gets under way, Tom Lihan has picked up another of these sleek keel boats. Last weekend he a group of other owners, including LYC's John Ulbrich and Mike Dressel, put together a clinic on Biscayne Bay.
Jeff Ecklund provided the coaching, and Judd Smith helped everyone fine tune their rigs. The next day, the group raced the Coral Reef Yacht Club Annual Regatta. Tom, and his crew of Barr Batzer and Judd Smith, took bullets in all three races sailed in 20 knots.
He reported they were able to plane on all of the downwind legs. Mike Driscoll had a second in the first race before suffering a nasty wipeout that ended their day of racing. Also taking part in the regatta were Christopher Williford and Kai Friesecke who placed second in the 29er.
LYC Junior sailors compete in several college regattas
Nov 08, 2011 12:28 pm |
In addition to the single handed national championships, another college age sailor with ties to LYC participated in several collegiate regattas the weekend of November 5th.
Rhode Island State Championship -- NEISA In-conference -- Rhode Island – Co-ed
Chanel Miller skippered the B Division for host Rhode Island, finishing 1st. Rhode Island finished 2nd for the regatta.
Team LYC finishes 5th at the 24th BMW Opti Challenge Team Cup
Nov 08, 2011 12:02 pm | newsletter writer
From Mike Toppa -- The Lauderdale Yacht Club team ended up tying for 4th and lost the tiebreaker to finish in 5th place with a record of 5-2 in the BMW Opti Challenge team race regatta. Ultra light air again and even less than Saturday. We were out on the water at 9am but sat and waited for any sign of wind. Racing didn't start until 2:30 and there were only 2 short races sailed on the last day just before the 3:30 time limit. Luckily we were on a lake with no waves. The flat water allowed the RC to get away with starting in such light air. The German World Team, sailing on the other
circle, won the event with a record of 6-0.
Anne Haeger wins ICSA single-handed national championship
Nov 08, 2011 09:36 am |
CHICAGO-- Anne Haeger won her third Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association Single-handed National Championship. She won the Janet Lutz trophy. (For more on this story see the following article from the event web site). Marissa Lihna of Navy finished a strong 5th in the 18-boat fleet and Dominique Wright, representing USF, finished 14th.
On the boys' side, Brown's Colin Smith led a contingent with ties to LYC by finishing 5th. Former YSG Phillip Alley, sailing for Cornell finished 9th, and Andrew Fox, sailing for Wisconsin finished 12th.
ICSA LaserPerformance Singlehanded Nationals, Day 3 – BC's Haeger and Yale's Cullman Dominate Racing
Nov 08, 2011 09:35 am |
Everyone showed up to Chicago Yacht Club this morning expecting to see some big breeze, and that is exactly what they got! Though the morning temperatures were pleasantly warm in the upper 50s, the breeze started around 15 knots while the sailors were rigging, gusts up into the 20s, and only continued to build through the morning.
By the time race 15 got underway at 930, the breeze was up around 20 knots from the south. Luckily, the southerly breeze had made the waves a little more easy to manage, but the building wind added new challenges for the tough sailors. By mid-race, the wind was building up into the mid-high 20s, gusts hitting over 30, and the racers were focused more on keeping their boats upright than anything.
Quickly the fleet spread out as boats were flipping across the course, both upwind and downwind. For the judges and safety boats monitoring the race course, many exciting death rolls and wipeouts characterized the race.
Once the race was finished, though many hoped that the sailors could stay out, it was decided that the conditions were getting a little too extreme for the majority of this talented fleet to handle, and the boats were sent in for an onshore postponement. The race committee remained out on the water to monitor the conditions in hopes of being able to finish the eighteen races, but by 1230, with the wind even stronger than before, they decided to call the event.
On the women's course, Boston College senior Annie Haeger kept her commanding lead through the last race, finishing third in the race despite two capsizes. Haeger, now a three-time ICSA Women's Singlehanded Champion having won the event her freshman and sophomore year as well, again demonstrated her remarkable Laser sailing abilities and won the regatta with only thirty-four points, winning nine out of the fifteen races in a range of conditions.
Claire Dennis, a junior from Yale University and last year's champion at this event, also sailed a great regatta and finished in second place with sixty-nine points. Claire showed her dominance in breeze today winning the only race sailed. Yale teammate Emily Billing rounded out the top three with seventy-seven points, and surviving the race today with a second place finish.
The Yale team and coaches must be thrilled with their success both on the women's and men's courses as another of their juniors, Cam Cullman won the men's side in commanding fashion, ending the regatta with an impressive win in the epic race today.
Though the men's leaders were far less consistent than the women, Cullman was able to extend his lead throughout the event, finishing with fifty-seven points over USF's Christopher Stocke's eighty-four. Stocke I'm sure was hoping for racing to be done for the day after the one race, as he won the tie breaker with Charleston Cougar Zeke Horowitz, who also had eighty-four points. Horowitz was leading Stocke by one point going into the day, but Stocke's second place finish in the final race over Horowitz's third tied the pair up, and put Stocke ahead on a head-to-head tie breaker.
Though conditions today put the race committee a few races short of running a full regatta, quality racing throughout the weekend in all kinds of conditions allowed the best sailors to shine across the board. PRO Erik Schneider and APRO Frank Ustach along with the rest of the race committee did a wonderful job getting off lots of races.
Chief Judge Pat Healy along with the rest of the judges weathered the wind and waves to help facilitate fair sailing throughout the event. Mark Mitchell and the members of the Northwestern sailing team made the on land logistics run smoothly so that racing could start on time. Chicago Yacht Club was delighted to host such a fantastic event for the best college Laser sailors in the country, and congratulate all of the competitors for some great racing.
REMINDER-- An Evening With U.S. Sailing president and Emmy award winning commentator Gary Jobson is November 15th
Nov 08, 2011 09:34 am | newsletter writer
For more information go to www.lycsf.org and click on the link.
