LYC Finishes Close Second in Prestigious Morgan Cup Team Race

August 7-9, 2009
Newport, RI

   Team LYC at the 2009 Morgan Cup (from left to right): Cardwell Potts,

   Jennifer Watkins, Lindsey Gibbons-Neff, Marc Glennon, Blaine 

   Pedlow, John Baxter, Molly Baxter, Nick Ewenson, Matt Lindblad,

   Danny Pletsch, Meredith Nordhem, Corky Potts

 

LYC’s team-race team finished a close second to NYYC in the 2009 Morgan Cup at NYYC’s Newport venue August 7-9, 2009. LYC led the eight-team field with a 10-4 record after the initial double round robin, just ahead of NYYC 1, a second NYYC team and Seawanhaka which were tied with 9-5 records.

These four teams then sailed a double round robin among themselves with wins counting two points, rather than the one point credited in the first two rounds. LYC won three of its six races in the gold round, including two wins over NYYC 1, but lost by a point to NYYC 1, as the host team won its four other gold-round races, with an edge in points thanks to the scoring system in the gold round. Both LYC and NYYC 1 ended with identical overall 13-7 records (and LYC beat NYYC 1 in three out of four races).

LYC’s team was led by skippers John Baxter, Danny Pletsch and Cardwell Potts. LYC’s second-place finish was its best ever in this event. LYC member Senet Bischoff was a helmsman on the winning NYYC team.

Southern YC from New Orleans won the silver round, for fifth place, followed by Newport Harbor YC from California, Pequot YC and a third NYYC team.

This regatta is considered by many to be the national keel-boat team-race championship, with America’s Cup or Olympic sailors or former intercollegiate All-Americans in every boat. The event is sailed in Sonars, three boats against three with spinnakers. Team racing with spinnakers can be exciting, with little warning for the kite trimmers as the boats suddenly execute top team-race moves.

The Morgan Cup was initially presented by the members of the NYYC to J.P. Morgan as a token of esteem and a mark of appreciation for his service as the club’s commodore from 1919-21. It has been dedicated as the perpetual trophy for this team-race invitational. For complete results, please visit the event website.