Super Finish at 2015 U.S. Team Racing Championship

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (September 27, 2015) – Chesapeake Bay featured an array of colorful sails in Zim 15 sailboats comprised of teams wearing custom designed pinnies – a trademark of the U.S. Team Racing Championship. On Sunday, an exciting knockout series featuring quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds determined who would stake claim to the historic George R. Hinman Trophy.

The championship came down to the wire Sunday afternoon in a winner take all final race. In the end it was a team named Kirkwood Ticklers defeating Jet Lag, 2-1, in the final series to win the 2015 U.S. Team Racing Championship. These two teams were evenly matched and dominant throughout the regatta. The championship was decided in the closing seconds of Race 3 in the Finals. Kirkwood Ticklers is comprised of Will Bailey (Marblehead, Mass.), Sam Madden (Arlington, Mass.), Scott Sinks (San Diego, Calif.), Allison Ferraris (Manhasset, N.Y.), Raul Rios (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), and Katja Sertl (Rochester, N.Y.).

Kirkwood Ticklers went 28-7 over three days of racing this week. They won 2-1 in the semifinals over Leis Queens and 2-0 over Brown People. This morning they went 4-1 in the Gold fleet seeding series. On Friday and Saturday they were 9-2 in each of the Qualifying round robin stages.

Jet Lag also had an impressive week of racing by going 26-8 overall. The team includes Kevin Laube (San Francisco, Calif.), Samantha Steele (San Francisco, Calif.), Mateo Vargas (Treasure Island, Fla.), Tally Buckstaff (Menlo Park, Calif.), Oliver Toole (Palo Alto, Calif.), and Carolyn Ortel (Palo Alto, Calif.).

The 2015 U.S. Team Racing Championship, hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club with the support of Severn Sailing Association, featured Former U.S. Team Racing Champion sailors, collegiate All-Americans, new teams, and an impressive collection of sailors who have had success in various disciplines and racing backgrounds.

This premier team racing event in the United States is an invitational event. First held in 1981, the U.S. Team Racing Championship remains one of the hottest events in the country for collegiate and post-collegiate sailors. Interested teams applied by resume. The championship was raced in three-boat/six-person teams (three skippers and three crews).

Team racing is one of the most popular disciplines in sailing. Over 100 races are sailed in just a few days. Races, or flights, are shorter than traditional race courses. Three flights are racing simultaneously with teams swapping out after each race.

Quotes

Will Bailey (Kirkwood Ticklers, Captain) –

  • “We sailed against them in the past when they were at Stanford and we were at BC. We also sailed the Hinman against them last year. It seems like every race against them comes down to the end like that. They are always pushing just as hard as we are.”

Sam Madden (Kirkwood Ticklers) –

  • “It was a great regatta and it’s always a little sweeter when you come out on top in the end. There was great competition and a great weekend with friends.”

Justin Law (The Triumvirate) – Quote from Saturday –

  • “Annapolis Yacht Club and the Umpires did great today. They pushed the limit for this national championship and that’s what you have to do.”

Mike McBrien (Hawks Peacocks) – Quote from Saturday –

  • “It has been a lot of fun in these boats, going as fast as these boats can go. The team racing was great and it was definitely close with the heavy breeze.”

Media & Coverage

  • For results, standings, complete rosters, video highlights (to be posted this week), photos, Twitter updates, and more information from the 2015 U.S. Team Racing Championship, please visit the event website.

Prizes on the Line

  • The winning team was presented the George R. Hinman Trophy.
  • US Sailing medals were awarded to the first, second and third place competitors.

Social Media Highlights

 

The 2015 U.S. Team Racing Championship is sponsored by Zim Sailing, Gill North America, Hobie Polarized, Old Pulteney, and Switlik Survival Products.

US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org

About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

About Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the exclusive importer and distributor of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, US and Canada. Gill is a worldwide apparel and accessories brand serving the marine industry with over three decades of experience. Gill specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company develops and markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. Gill products are available through hundreds of independent dealers and select West Marine Stores. For further information, please contact: Gary Barker at 941-505-2111 or gary.barker@gillna.com.

About Zim Sailing
Zim Sailing, headquartered in Warren, RI is the fastest growing manufacturer of one-design sailboats in North America. Currently, Zim manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of training, recreational and performance sailboats in North America. Zim is best known for its C420, Optimist, Byte CII and CFJ. The durability of Zim boats has been proven at all levels to include High Schools, Colleges, Yacht Clubs, and Community Sailing Centers along with the passionate dinghy sailor. In addition, the Zim performance has elevated sailors to podium finishes at several local, regional, National and North American championships since the company’s creation in 2008. Zim is dedicated to the success and growth of dinghy sailing and Zim’s experienced staff and support vehicles can be found at many regattas. For more information please visit www.zimsailing.com or email info@zimsailing.com.

About Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is strongly rooted in the whisky’s nautical heritage and is commonly referred to as ‘The Maritime Malt.’ Old Pulteney is the Official Scotch of US Sailing and recently released a limited-edition ‘Navigator’ expression, commemorating the brand’s sponsorship of the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Crafted in Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland, the distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in the heart of “Pulteneytown,” one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. Each Old Pulteney expression is carefully crafted and carries the windswept and rugged character of the North and the salty, fresh air of the North Sea. It is distributed by International Beverage, Inc. Visit Old Pulteney on Facebook or at www.oldpulteney.com for more information.

About Switlik Survival Products
Established in 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. has been owned and operated by the Switlik family for four generations and is known worldwide as a manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military/government markets. Our capabilities include a wide variety of anti-exposure and anti-g suits, inflatable life rafts, inflatable life vests, inflation systems and other specialty textile-based military equipment all manufactured at our 85,000 sq. ft. facility located in Trenton, NJ USA. www.switlik.com

About Hobie Polarized
Hobie Polarized is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of polarized eyewear. The brand’s innovative lens technology allows total glare reduction, 100% UV protection, enhances contrast and provides optimum visual acuity. The company’s products are sold worldwide and are used by watermen at all skill and lifestyle levels. The Hobie Polarized headquarters is located in Plainview, New York. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.hobiepolarized.com.