LYC Teams Shine at ABC Match Race Quarterfinals

May 24-25, 2010

Larchmont, NY

LYC teams had a strong showing at the ABC Match Race Quarterfinals, held May 15-16, 2010, at LYC. The ABC Quarterfinal is a step on the ladder to the US Match Race Championship, also known as the Prince of Wales Bowl. With the explosive growth of the domestic match racing scene, this regatta has evolved into a high-level event, as only the top two teams advance to the semi-finals.

 

   Wild and woolly downwind legs highlighted the days racing.

   Photo by Maureen Koeppel

 

Saturday brought a blustery northwest breeze, which allowed the Race Committee to complete a full round robin and 3 flights of the second round robin. At the conclusion of racing Saturday LYC’s Danny Pletsch sat atop the classification with Jon Singsen hanging tough in fourth. Conditions were relentless as the fleet was not allowed to sail under a spinnaker for most of the day. When spinnakers were allowed some spectacular racing (and wipeouts) followed.

Sunday was a different story as the northwest breeze died off to a more sedate 5-10 knots.  This allowed the second round robin to be completed.  As if on cue the breeze then died and the classic northerly/southerly battle ensued. Eventually the northwest breeze returned and allowed the semi-finals and finals to be sailed. Pletsch stood in first after the second round robin and faced Singsen in the first semi-final. Showing poise and experience Singsen knocked out Pletsch by a 2-0 score.  Next came the battle of the college coaches as Zack Leonard faced Geoff Becker.  After a spirited battle Becker won 2-1 to face Singsen in the final. 

In the final, Becker defeated Singsen 2-0 after starting errors on Singsen’s part left him chasing in both races. In the petit final, Leonard won by default as Pletsch elected not to sail.