Team Captain Debbie Noble provided this report from the Hinman Masters Team Race:

 EYC’s Hinman Masters Team  Qualifies for Championship Gold Fleet

The New York Yacht Club Masters Team Race for the 2012 Commodore George R. Hinman Masters Invitational Trophy took place in Newport on August 17-19.  Competitors sailed 105 races and included teams from Eastern Yacht Club, Larchmont Yacht Club, Newport Harbor Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Noroton Yacht Club, Riverside Yacht Club, St. Francis Yacht Club, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Southern Yacht Club, and Texas Corinthian Yacht Club.  The regatta was sailed in Sonars and competitors included many class champions, former collegiate and America’s Cup sailors. 

After two round robins of 45 races each day, the fleet was split into the Championship Gold fleet for the highest scoring six teams, and a Silver fleet for the remaining four teams.  Teams qualifying for Gold fleet were Eastern, Newport Harbor, Noroton, St. Francis, Southern, and Texas Corinthian.   Five-time champion New York and former champions Larchmont and Seawanhaka did not qualify for Gold fleet. 

The final round on Sunday included very aggressive team racing with winning combinations changing multiple times per race.  The day began with a light northerly which died early and the normal sea breeze did not fill in until the awards presentation.  The final tally saw St. Francis Yacht Club edge out Southern Yacht Club by a half point.  Eastern Yacht Club finished in fifth, one place above last year’s effort and the highest placed east coast team.   

The Eastern team included Dave Curtis, Sam Altreuter, Jud Smith, Dru Slattery, Debbie Noble, Scott Alexander, Rick Myers, Cindy Smith, Martha Altreuter, Molly Bushman, Jeremy Bloxham, John Boyle, Bill Kaull, Tom Bushman, and Katie Bloxham.   Greg Wilkinson provided invaluable coaching advice on land and water during the event, and was impressed with Eastern’s Gold fleet results on the final day, noting that “with consistent practice as a team, EYC could clinch the Hinman Masters Trophy one day soon.”