NYYC Team Extreme Captures Second US Team Racing Championship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jake Fish
US Sailing Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
401.683.0800 x614
LARCHMONT, N.Y. (October 21, 2012) - It was another stellar day on Larchmont Harbor for the US Team Racing Championship finale, hosted by Larchmont Yacht Club. The 12 teams finished their second Round Robin stage, and the top six teams advanced to the Gold Round Robin Finals where points were doubled. In the end, it was Team Extreme of the New York Yacht Club, winning their second Hinman Trophy. 
Team Extreme, who won their first US Team Racing Championship in 2009, finished the second Round Robin stage as the number one seed with 20 points. The 2010 US Team Racing Champions and five time winners of the Hinman, Silver Panda was the number two seed with 18 points. The upstarts from the home team, the Larchmont Yacht Club was third with 15 points. The Rhode Island Pistols were fourth (11 pts.); The Woonsocket Rockets (11 pts.) were fifth; and the West Kirby Hawks (11 pts.) were sixth.
Team Extreme was a perfect 5-0 in the Final Gold Round Robin stage to seal the title with 30 points. Larchmont Yacht Club had a strong round to edge Silver Panda by a point for second place and 23 points. Larchmont was 4-1, including a win over Silver Panda who was 2-3. See the final results and standings.
Team Extreme, who is comprised of former Yale varsity sailing team members, was Runner-up to Minor Threat in 2011. Minor Threat finished eighth this year.
Team Extreme includes skippers Zachary Brown (San Diego, Calif.), Thomas Barrows (St. Thomas, USVI), Stuart McNay (Chestnut Hill, Mass.), and crew Emmet Smith (New Haven, Conn.), Marla Menninger (New York, N.Y.), and Michael Hession (Chicago, Ill.).
“I was really impressed with how the team adapted so quickly after not competing together since last year’s Hinman,” said McNay. “I thought we were able to come from behind in some situations and we sailed well with the lead too. There were no easy races.”
The second place team from Larchmont featured Danny Pletsch (Greenwich, Conn.), Clay Bischoff (New York, N.Y.), Michael Menninger (San Francisco, Calif.), Jennifer Watkins (New Orleans, La.), Kendra Emhiser (New York, N.Y.), and Meredith Powlison (Newport, R.I.).
Check out the roster for a full list of teams who competed this weekend in Larchmont, N.Y.
Racing got underway after 10:00 am outside the harbor in a westerly wind at about 8 knots. Seas were relatively flat under sunny skies.
“The volunteers made this a great event,” said McNay. “The Larchmont Yacht Club members really stepped up and allowed teams to use their boats.
For results, standings, video highlights by Chris Love, photos by Peter Braune, and more information from the 2012 U.S. Team Racing Championship, please visit the event website.
US Sailing’s Championship of Champions is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Gill North America, Hobie Polarized, and Old Pulteney. This championship is a Sailors for the Sea - Clean Regattas certification event.
Championship Notes
• Teams raced in Vanguard 15s.
• Each competing team consisted of three skippers and three crews.
• Teams were selected or invited by the U.S. Team Racing Championship Committee from team resumes, applications, and qualifying events.
• Teams raced two Round Robins, followed by a Gold Round Robin stage with the top six teams.
• The highest finishing U.S. team qualifies to represent the United States at the 2013 ISAF Team Racing World Championship.
• Olympians competing this week: Stu McNay (Team Extreme) - 2012, 2008 in the 470; Erik Storck (Storm Trysail Club) - 2012 in the 49er; Trevor Moore (Silver Panda) - 2012 in the 49er
• Other US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider member - Charlie Buckingham (Minor Threat)
• US Sailing Olympic Development Team members competing: Zachary Brown (Team Extreme)
• Championship Personnel:
- Edward R. Padin, Event Chairman
- Glenn Oliver, US Team Racing Championship Committee Chairperson
- Jed Kelly, Regatta Committee Chairman
- Cynthia A. Parthemos, Event Principal Race Officer
- Liz Walker, US Sailing Championships Director
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 Top-Sider. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America's Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider preparation, US Sailing National Championships, disabled sailing, offshore, one-design and women's events. For more information, please visit us at www.rolex.com.
About Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the sole distributor and licensee of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, Central America, US and Canada. Gill is an apparel and accessories leader in the worldwide marine industry for over three decades and specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company tests, designs 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. Available through hundreds of dealers nationally, Gill NA is the sole distributor and licensee of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America, where it is the top selling yachting clothing brand. For more information on Gill NA, visit the company website at http://www.gillna.com/ or contact David Pritchard at david.pritchard@gillna.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.
About Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky
Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky is crafted at Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland. The distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s herring boom. The distillery lies in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’, which was one of the most important and biggest herring fishing ports in Europe.
Old Pulteney Single Malt whisky has a long standing association with the sea and is known as the “Maritime Malt.” Its carefully crafted taste carries the windswept and rugged character of the North, the salty and fresh air of the North Sea, and the distillery’s rich maritime heritage runs through every drop of this fine malt. The award-winning Old Pulteney portfolio includes the World Whisky of the Year title, in Jim Murray’s 2012 Whisky Bible Awards. Visit us at http://www.oldpulteney.com/.