Hinman Masters | Royal Thames Yacht Club

Hinman Masters — 20 August '10

20 August –22 August

A great time had by all - and the least said about the result, the better.

THE HINMAN MASTERS

Newport, Rhode Island – USA

19^th- 22^nd August 2010

Four days of sailing, the first a short afternoon to practice – very useful, as only a few of the team had sailed together before. Then two days of racing in light airs (although the RTYC team didn’t actually race during the first of the two. An absence of wind during the middle of the first caused considerable sun-bathing delays). And finally, one grand day of torrential rain, strong winds with 25+ knot gusts, a tidal current and a quickly recovered man overboard – probably our best day on the water.

Having been an ‘off-shore’ cruiser/racer for many years, I found ‘Team Racing’, with its very particular, almost perverse, rules quite a learning curve and a lot for the ‘helms’ to understand and quickly interpret. Also, seemingly only half our team had sailed Sonars – of which there were twelve, and six ‘not so handy’ J22’s, making a fleet of 18 boats, all with various idiosyncrasies. But what a sport!! ‘Team Racing’ has to be the most exciting, skilful, form of competitive sailing.

Unfortunately, Paul Madden, a local member of the RTYC was physically incapacitated shortly before our arrival and could not participate, but Christopher Noble, a NYYC member nobly and humorously stepped in, to complete our team of nine.

By the last day the team had come together as three almost coherent crews, which was fortunate because day four was certainly a test, a sure-fire way to lose a few pounds and increase mental awareness. Wet and windy, but warm, akin to a summer Solent, fresh rain-laden south-westerly, against the ebb! totally incredible, exhilarating, fun.

The 12 teams, each with three crews, managed to complete a total of 84 races For which praise must go to the NYYC. A feat of the logistics, efficient and seamlessly organized, with teams being ferried to and from anchored rafts, the committee and many umpire boats, the rapid starts and the race crews changing Sonars, J22’s and rafts almost continually. Amazingly there were no physical injuries, seemingly no damage and only a few protests – a very competent meeting with true sportsmanship.

Ashore ‘Harbour Court’- the NYYC’s magnificent coastal club house, with its restored Grandeur and many facilities, is a credit to those who had the foresight to purchase and financially contribute to its maintenance as one of the world’s premier sailing venues. Each morning breakfast and packed lunches were provided prior to briefing/racing and the terrace became a social haven for returning teams with earnest discussion, much chatter, renewal of acquaintances and genuine laugher.

The formal Saturday evening dinner and the final day’s prize giving were also great social events. Mike (RC Sailing) obtained invitations for ‘Royal Thames’ teams to participate in future ‘Hinman’ and ‘Grand Masters’ events at Harbour Court, invitations for RTYC members to many of the other competing Clubs: Texas, Los Angeles, Annapolis, etc, and considerable good will for RTYC Academy ‘team racing’ members, with promises from several clubs to send competitors for next year’s ‘Cumberland Cup’.

Finally thanks must go to Jilly Allenby for arranging the ‘team’ house at nearby Middletown where we enjoyed our own private in-house clam chowder and fresh New England lobster dinner, superbly cooked by Mike (the Rear Commodore ‘himself’) and Joe, a culinary delight, consumed with gusto by the whole team.

The visit was truly a worthwhile experience, a joy, an event enabling me to personally cross several items of my 1000 things to do list !!

The RTYC Hinman Master’s Team 2010

Mike Halstead - Rear Commodore (Sailing)

Bernard Kinchin - Team Captain/Helm

Margo Taylor - Helm

Nigel Baker - Helm

Jilly Allenby

Anthony Esse

Joseph King

Bernard Sivell-Muller

And

Christopher Noble (NYYC)