It seemed impossible that the fourth day of the United States Match Racing Championship, hosted by Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, could end in early afternoon because there was not a breath of air over the entire LI Sound, north to Connecticut and south to Cold Spring Harbor. The first three days had seen heavy to moderate wind staging the racing field in West Harbor, Oyster Bay. Today’s venue was moved to Lloyd Point, at the mouth of the harbor into the Long Island Sound

Continuing the semi-final round, which got off one flight yesterday afternoon, were four boats: Brian Angel’s team (King Harbor Yacht Club), Taylor Canfield’s team (St. Thomas Yacht Club), Dave Perry’s team (Pequot Yacht Club) and Jon Singsen’s team (N.Y. Yacht Club/Larchmont Yacht Club).

Racing started at 1000 and into the fourth flight, the Race Committee hoisted a postponement as the breeze died. Hauling up anchor, they made way further out into the Sound, looking for what ever breeze that was never going to come. Constant radio contact with other L.I. Sound race committees trying to start their races and weather bands provided no positive news.

At this juncture, the standings were: Brian Angel at 3-0 against Jon Singsen, winning his place in the finals. Circumstances were different with the second team as Dave Perry was 2 races to Taylor Canfield’s 1 race.

While it felt wind was starting to build, storm clouds encased the entire Sound at about 1300 and light rain came in fifteen minutes later.

Races were called at 1435, and all competitors were towed into Seawanhaka for the final ceremonies of an amazing four day drama.

Head Umpire, for USMRC 2008, Steve Wrigley explained how the final results, in this situation are decided using Appendix C, Rule 11, which is the fundamental way to decide ties.

FINAL RESULTS: FIRST – Dave Perry, David Moffet, Chis Museler; SECOND – Brian Angel, Payson Infelise, Micheal Delanty; THIRD – Jon Singsen, Ben Jarashow, Robert Bardwell; and FOURTH – Taylor Canfield, Nathan Rosenberg, Cy Thompson.

Steve Wrigley commented, “We are delighted to be back at Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club; they have great membership support. I am so pleased at the decision to run the two round robins, which provided 22 flights of racing results. We had as much fun as the sailors! And we are here to support Match Racing”.

 In front of the majestic Prince of Wales trophy, Bruce Cook opened the award ceremonies at a little after 1600, welcoming all and commenting on this terrific event, in large part due to the competitors and umpires (who came from many places and distances), but citing all the behind the scene volunteers who organized and made the event happen, from spectator boats, to Race Committee (particularly the PRO Commodore Al Constants, housing hosts, and Regatta Chair, Commodore Bill Denslow). Also thanked was the SCYC staff, for their great efforts, and umpire Eric Johnson (thanked by every recipient for his incredible service in maintaining the Seawanhaka Sonars). Special mention was given to the sponsors, Rolex Watch USA, Dry Creek Vineyards and Harken. Next year’s USMRC will take place in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The competitors were asked to come up: Fourth – Taylor Canfield’s team; Third – Jon Singsen’s crew, receiving bronze medals who thanked, particularly his super crew, New York Yacht Club, Larchmont Yacht Club and Hunt Lawrence for promoting match racing; Second – Brian Angel’s team, receiving silver medals, who thanked the host club for getting so many races in and his appreciation of the umpires dedication; First – Dave Perry’s team, receiving gold medals, thanked many of the before mentioned people, who have done so much to promote match racing; the competition for being so close and so good; and his crew, which he said wins the race because of boat handling and psychology.

Dave’s team now qualifies for the Nation’s Cup regional qualifier in Charleston, SC next month. If he wins that, he will move on to the Nation’s Cup World Event to be held in Malaysia in December.

Also by wining the USMRC, Perry receives an invite to the Ficker and Knickerbocker match race events. Both of these events award their winner an entry into a Grade 1(Congressional Cup) and WC (Bermuda Gold Cup) events. Of all the US Sailing Championships, is the only event which provides so many additional opportunities.