FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Barby MacGowan, Media Pro Int'l for Storm Trysail Club, 401-849-0220, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] or Marcy Trenholm, Storm Trysail Club, 914-834-8857, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Storm Trysail Club Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta
Bringing New Sailors into Big Boat Sailing Larchmont, N.Y. (Oct. 12, 2007) -- Thirty-one boat-owners shared their boats and love of the sport with 235 collegiate sailors this past Columbus Day weekend at the Storm Trysail Club's (STC) Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta hosted by Larchmont Yacht Club. STC runs the regatta to introduce college dinghy sailors to the teamwork of big-boat racing and give college sailors who prefer big-boat racing to dinghies a venue at which to participate. Five races were sailed by the fleet, which was divided into three divisions for one-designs (J/44s, J/109s, J/105s) and one division for PHRF (level rated 72). This regatta has become the highlight of the season for college sailors as well as boat owners. Jim Marran, the owner's representative on the Express 37 Soulmates said, "Our regular crew wins a lot of regattas, but it felt better at the end of this one (even though Soulmates finished fifth). The crew from U. Mass got better and better with each race. Our pit person had never sailed before and she had the sails going up and down perfectly by the end of the regatta." Race committee PRO Charles "Butch" Ulmer very wisely kept the fleet out racing until late in the afternoon on Saturday to finish four races even though the forecast called for a windy Sunday. The forecast proved to be worthless; the fleet drifted around Sunday morning in postponement, then sailed a great first beat in 10-12 knots of breeze, but that wind didn't last. Only two J/44s finished before the time limit expired. The other classes had their courses shortened and all but one boat made the time limit. A second race was attempted, but the breeze kept phasing in and out while shifting radically. With a view of why the Storm Trysail Club runs this event, Ulmer said, "This is the way it should be; this is the way to bring new sailors into big boat sailing. These kids will sail for the rest of their lives." Division winners were: Navy in the J/44 class, Webb Institute in the J/109s, Brown in the Level 72s and Coast Guard in the J/105 class. Sponsors for the event were Prestige Toyota, Rolex, Vineyard Vines, J Boats, Safe Flight, Gill, UK Halsey, and DaxOneTouch. For complete race results, photos and more information, visit <http://www.stormtrysail.orghttp://www.stormtrysail.org/Pages/2007-Intercoll egiate-Regatta/2007-Intercollegiate-Main.html> http://www.stormtrysail.org/Pages/2007-Intercollegiate-Regatta/2007-Intercol legiate-Main.html About the Storm Trysail Club The Storm Trysail Club (STC), reflecting in its name the sail to which sailors must shorten when facing adverse conditions, is one of the world's most respected sailing clubs, with its membership comprised strictly of skilled blue water and ocean racing sailors. In addition to holding various prestigious offshore racing events (among them the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race, Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex and Block Island Race), STC also hosts the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta and annual junior safety-at-sea seminars. It also has developed the Storm Trysail Transpac 65 and the Box Rule that will govern its design. (end) ________________________________________________ icsa mailing list [email protected] http://www.collegesailing.org/mailman/?listname=icsa
