Dear BYC Maritime Sciences & Seamanship Foundation,
My team and I would like to thank you for your support towards our recent travels to the Chicago Match Race Center to compete in our first non-youth match race event, the Spring Invitational. Our team consisted of Helm: Ryan Davidson (BYC), Main: Payson Infelise, Jib: Brandon Folkman (BYC), and Bow: Matt Hecht. We sailed the Tomm 28s. Despite being unable to finish the round robin in the fluky, light, Newport-like conditions, we were able to win all 5 of our races which was good enough for us to place first overall. Behind us there was a 3 way tie for second with 4 points. We were one of two teams that this regatta was our first time sailing in Chicago.
We arrived late Thursday night. Friday morning was our scheduled practice time in the boats, 9am-noon. Although we were not too happy about having to wake up early with the time change, having the morning session allowed us to have some free time to explore Chicago. We found out there was a Chicago Cubs game later. We quickly showered, grabbed some food, and headed over to Wrigley Field. It was a great team bonding day.
Saturday was our first day of racing. We had the first bye so we rode out in CMRC’s houseboat to the race course. Due to very light and fluky conditions, we were postponed for the majority of the day. We were only able to get off three flights which only meant 2 races for us; we won both. Sunday was the same. We were postponed on land for a couple hours. Finally, we made it on to the water with about 10 knots of breeze. Unfortunately, the breeze died soon after we got one race in. this pattern repeated itself a few more times. We were only able to get off 3 races that day.
We finished the regatta 5 wins and 0 losses, good enough to finish 1st overall. Even though we didn’t finish a full round robin, our record was better than the rest of the competition. Second place had a three way tie at 4 and 1.
Winning the Spring Invitational gives us an automatic invitation to the Grade 2 Chicago Match Cup Qualifier and the chance to compete in the US stop of the Work Match Race Tour, the Chicago Match Cup. Both events are held at CMRC. Unfortunately, we may not be able to accept the invitation due to prior commitments.
Attached are photos that were taken by Meredith Block of Sailing Anarchy. Chicago Match Race Center, Scuttlebutt, and ISAF have all written similar recaps online of our victory. Again, my team cannot thank you enough for your support to send us to Chicago. Without your continued support towards our sailing, this would not have been possible. We welcome you to follow us in the future on at www.facebook.com/GoldenStateMatchRacing.
Thank you,
Ryan Davidson and Golden State Match Racing