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SYC Grand Masters team sails to best finish ever at Hinman Grand Masters

NEWPORT, R.I. - Led by skippers Marc Eagan, Benz Faget and Tommy Meric, the SYC Grand Masters team tied for first place after two round robins and finished third after the Gold mini-round robin to record their best result ever in New York Yacht Club’s Harbor Court summer team racing series, July 27-28, 2013.

Noroton Yacht Club (Darien, CT) won the event for the third consecutive time and is the only club to win since the Grand Masters was inaugurated in 2010. The race was not sailed in 2011 because of Hurricane Irene.

Southern’s record after the end of two round robins was 11-3, with losses only to New York (twice) and Noroton, the eventual champions.

The Southern Yacht Club crew included: Harry Barkerding, Cherrie Felder, Peter Gambel, Bruce Hayden, Jay Kuebel, John Lee, Tom Long, Billy Marchal, Rocky Sanchez and Bill Wright.

New York Yacht Cub finished second to Noroton when the host team lost the lead in the last 100 yards of their last race against Noroton in the Gold mini-round robin. Texas Corinthian Yacht Club finished fourth.

Other teams included, in order of finish: Ida Lewis YC (Newport)/Storm Trysail YC (Larchmont, NY); St Francis YC (San Francisco);  St. Petersburg YC and American Yacht Club (Rye, NY).

New York Yacht Club managed its usual flawless event under sunny skies on Saturday and thick fog Sunday morning. The summer sea breeze filled in  as scheduled both days, giving the competitors near perfect sailing conditions. The team from New Orleans especially enjoyed the familiar notes of Trombone Shorty playing the Newport Folk Festival as the Sonars sailed in Saturday evening from the first day of competition.

Tidal current—an unknown force to sailors from Lake Pontchartrain—played a large role in the afternoon sailing, when the falling tide swept several boats over the line early at the starts. Southern was not immune to the pull of nature, but managed to catch up and covert a number of losing combination into wins on the downwind legs.

“This year proved without a doubt that we can compete at the highest level with these clubs,” said team captain Tom Long. “We came so close this year, so our goal next year is nothing less than winning.”

Read the NYYC report