By Brad Rodi
October 5th - 7th 2012, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Vancouver British Columbia
SDYC Team: Erik Shampain, Mandy Markee, Julie Servais, Austin Dias, Brad Rodi
"SDYC Captures 2012 Royal Vancouver Yacht Club Match Race Invitational - Commodores Cup International Challenge"
In early October, The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (RVYC) hosted the 2012 RVYC Match Race Invitational with ten teams representing four countries (Canada, United States, Australia and Denmark). Over the last year, RVYC began a very intensive effort to bring high-level match racing to not only their Club, but also to the Pacific Northwest region in general. In 2012 RVYC has hosted four formal match-racing regattas, including the RVYC Match Race Invitational, which qualified as an ISAF Grade 3 event. Throughout the year, the club also hosted numerous match race clinics and informal week-day racing. Historically SDYC has had a friendly challenge event with RVYC hosted at our respective clubs, but instead, his year they invited SDYC to come north and participate in their inaugural Invitational match race.
SDYC fielded a strong team to include Erik Shampain, Mandi Markee, Julie Servais, Austin Dias, and Brad Rodi. Many of the SDYC team members had been match racing in ISAF grade events (Chicago Match Race Series, US Sailing Women's Match Race Championships) throughout the summer, and were very well trained and practiced going into the event. The race was sailed over three days in near picture-perfect conditions for Vancouver, ranging from 64-68 degrees and 5-12 kts of breeze. Given the area normally can have no wind and the temperatures in the low 50's, normally mixed with rain, there were no complaints coming from the invited team from Southern California. RVYC used Martin 244's as their match race platform, which can be seen as a cross between a Melges 24 and J-24. The Martin 244 has a minimal fin/bulb cross-section, highlighting the need to sail and maneuver your boat without your rudder. This element provided for a very "interesting" pre-start and on-course maneuvering throughout the event.
The RVYC sailed the event directly in front of their Club on the Strait of George in the English Bay. Throughout the event, RVYC utilized a floating dock for the boat rotation, positioned directly leeward of the starting line (and in the box), creating great spectator viewing and lively commentary. RVYC was able to complete a full 10-team single round-robin over the first two days. Team SDYC finished the round-robin ranked #1 with an 8-1 record. Advancing into the semi-final round, Team SDYC was matched against Australian Chris Carroll and his #4 ranked team. Team SDYC won their semi-final bracket 2-0 and advanced to the Finals against the #2 ranked team - Canadian Ben Mumford. Unfortunately, lack of wind did not allow for the finals to be completed. The overall event scoring reverted back to the single-round robin rankings, resulting in Team SDYC taking the 2012 RVYC Match Invitation Championship.
RVYC did a tremendous job hosting the match race event. They are continuing to grow their match race program and are looking to acquire a dedicated fleet of match race boats to bring higher grade ISAF events to their Club/region in the future. Eric, Mandi, Julie, Austin and Brad would like to thank the Board and Competition Syndicate Committee for all of their support in helping to bring the RVYC Match race title to SDYC!