Team AYC Celebrates 4th Win of Team Race Challenge

The Atlantic Ocean, often referred to as “the pond” by those sailing across from Europe, was crossed this past week by plane bringing twelve members of the Royal Yacht Squadron for the 2023 RYS/AYC Team Race Challenge.?Thursday was a practice day for our guests on the Club’s J/22s followed by a welcome “get to know the crew” party around the corner at Forward Brewing.??Friday had the best forecast for the event so PRO Kevin Reeds let the competitors, RC and Umpires know that the goal was to get in as many races as they could that day with a prediction for Saturday on the lighter side.?Sailing wrapped up after 6 races that day with all races going to AYC in the winning column.?Saturday although light, had enough to send the teams off the dock on time with a tow by RC and the Umpires. As the fog lifted just enough breeze filled in on the course which was set off of the Bembe Beach area to get off another 3 races bringing AYC’s total to 9 wins.?Teams came ashore to relax and prepare for Saturday night’s Competitors Dinner at the Sailing Center.?Sunday turned out to be a great day for sailing so with an on-time start and knowing that the first team to 12 wrapped up the event, AYC kept their enthusiasm going and won races 10, 11 & 12 in short order.?The RYS continued to improve daily but in the end, Team AYC spearheaded by Captain Sarah Russell, celebrated with champagne in the perpetual trophy.?Team AYC was made up of members of our Adult Interclub Race Committee:?John Howell, Ginny Mininger, Matt Offutt, Isaac Merritt, Brady Stagg, Lilla Salvesen, Jack McGuire, Cam Bowdren, Kyle Comerford, Sarah Alexander, Jake Doyle and Team Captain, Sarah Russell. The event was also a family affair with Sophie Podlich at the helm as the Event Chair, Ben Podlich serving as Bosun, and Mom, Margaret Podlich on the RC.?

The “friendly” between the two Clubs is the brainchild of Past Commodore Bill Torgerson and Past Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, Jamie Sheldon.?The two Flag Officers met at an International Council of Yacht Clubs (ICOYC) meeting in 2013 and thought it was a great way to form a long last association between the two historic Clubs.?Commodore Torgerson wrote a note to his fellow flag officers about the proposal and one of the lines in the email describes what is so special about an event like this.?“Personally, I think that doing team racing on the Solent out of the RYS would be a very special experience for our younger members and also a good demonstration of the value of being a member of AYC”.?AYC hosted the event in 2013 and 2018 with the previous date being cancelled due to the pandemic so rescheduled for this week. Team AYC has also traveled to the UK to enjoy the hospitality of one of the most prestigious Clubs in the world, founded in 1815.?Their Clubhouse aka?The Castle?is spectacular, and their team members participate in all disciplines of yacht racing.?More information on the event as well as Friday through Sunday’s Results can be found on the event page.