2024 U.S. Sailing Team Race Championships
The 2024 U.S. Team Racing Championship, hosted by SSA from August 16-18, was a thrilling display of tactical skill, teamwork, and competitive spirit. This prestigious event brought together top sailors from across the nation, including a 2024 ILCA Olympic Bronze medalist from Peru, all vying for the coveted George R. Hinman Trophy. Twenty-four teams, each with six sailors, convened in Annapolis to test their talents against the best team racers in the nation.
The SSA team, led by Lisa Pline and Ian Burman, put on a top-notch event that received widespread praise from both sailors and US Sailing staff. From the SSA staff who worked tirelessly leading up to and during the event, to PRO Gavin O’Hare, DRO Steve Podlich, the exceptional SSA Race Committee, and the 18 umpires (including two SSA members), everyone involved helped showcase SSA as the premier one-design racing venue on the East Coast. SSA members Ashley Love, Arthur Blodgett, and Travis Carlisle anchored the live stream commentary, providing expert insights throughout the event.
SSA leaned heavily on its fantastic partnership with Navy Sailing, which provided half of the 36 FJs used during the races, as well as "rhibs and mids" for shuttling parts and sailors, and provided the media and umpire boats. The event also benefited from the support of Eastport Yacht Club (EYC). Jeff Borland of EYC served as Chief Umpire, bringing together volunteer umpires from around the country and abroad, while Sharon Hadsell, also from EYC, co-DRO, contributed her national race management expertise. EYC staff also assisted with setting up the spectator area and moving boats.
Team racing is a new experience for many SSA sailors, but it’s a beloved facet of the sport for post-college sailors. Watching these competitors navigate the racecourse with quick reactions, phenomenal boat-handling skills, and seamless communication was truly amazing. The regatta followed a Swiss League format, which adjusts matchups on the fly to balance the competition. Over the first two days, 220 races were completed in ideal southeast breezes on the Severn River. Unfortunately, the final day saw a very light westerly wind, reducing the number of races and leading to the cancellation of the planned final knockout rounds.
The competition was fierce, with sailors navigating a variety of conditions that tested their strategy and coordination. In the end, the team "Los Huevos," composed mostly of Harvard Sailing teammates and two friends from Boston College, emerged victorious for the second year in a row, showcasing exceptional boat handling, quick decision-making, and seamless teamwork.
“Super grateful for the way the regatta ended up,” said Mitchell Callahan. “Grateful to the other five people on this team, to our parents, and to our many coaches along the way.”
The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) sponsored the event and awarded a prize to the top team of mostly Chesapeake area sailors, which went to the 5th place team "Hot Soup." This team was captained by SSA member Bradley Adam and included Shelby Jacobs, Dillon Paiva, Lydia McPherson-Shamberger, JC Hermus, and Kimmie Leonard. Another standout team, with the most SSA members, finished in 8th place: Leo Boucher/Roxy Snyder, Owen Hennessey/Sam Muir, and Charlie Anderson/Maddie Bashaw.
Full results can be found here.
The event featured a two-day live stream with coverage provided by GoPro, the Official Action Camera of US Sailing. SSA’s Ashley Love anchored the live commentary, joined by numerous guests, including SSA member Arthur Blodgett, Event Chair Lisa Pline, and many regatta competitors, volunteers, and officials. Check it out on YouTube (Day 2- most exciting, Day 3 - light air)! Links to the most exciting coverage (Day 2) and the final day are available, despite the lighter winds. US Sailing also provided professional photographer Dave Curtis to cover the event (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3), and SSA’s Ted Morgan captured additional photos for Spinsheet magazine.
The social vibe off the water was equally excellent, with competitors socializing on SSA’s beautiful deck and under the party tent while enjoying complimentary Goslings Black Seal Rum and Ginger Beer, including the brand-new peach flavor used to make the famous Dark ‘n Stormy. Sailors were given custom event hats from Goslings and event-branded dry bags from Gill. Social events were hosted every night, including a Welcome Night sponsored by CBYRA with a giant charcuterie board, a Game Night with pong, leis, and corn hole sponsored by the Snipe Fleet, Saturday’s Mission BBQ night sponsored by Zim Sailing, and a Kona Ice truck sponsored by the DaySailer Fleet before the awards on the final day.
US Sailing was very pleased with the professionalism of our staff and volunteers, as well as how well the venue worked for competitors. The regatta organizers extend their thanks to the local sponsors who supported the social events: Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association, the Annapolis Snipe Fleet, Spinsheet Magazine, Zim Sailing, DaySailer Fleet One, and the Annapolis Lightning Fleet. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Navy Sailing.
The 2024 U.S. Team Racing Championship not only highlighted the high level of talent in American team racing but also reinforced the importance of teamwork in achieving success, both on the water and in event organization. Sailors and spectators alike left the event with a renewed appreciation for the excitement and camaraderie that team racing brings to the sport.
