ICSA Match Race National Championship

The ten competitors in the Match Race National Championships arrived Saturday morning at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center after navigating their way past the St. Petersburg Run Fest. The provided J70's were well-tuned and sported new sails. Harbor start was postponed for slightly under an hour until the promised southeasterly filled in at 5-8 knots. With an approaching cold front, the wind veered south and then southwest until a thin band of rain moved through, after which winds became brisk, west and then northwest. Eight flights were completed before PRO Todd Fedyszyn sent the fleet in, unrigging just before sunset.

Leaders at the end of the day were Yale, Navy and Coastguard with five wins each.

Cooler temperatures, down to the 60's, greeted competitors on Sunday. Post-frontal northerly winds around 10 knots started the day, but quickly dropped off as the land heated up. An hour delay in racing ensued around noon, as a fake easterly taunted competitors until the true northwest seabreeze filled in at 10 knots. PRO Todd Fedyszyn in consultation with ICSA rep Charles Higgins wisely opted to complete the round robin, then go immediately into the Finals and Petit-Finals.

The Petit-Finals featured Coast Guard and Georgetown, with Coast Guard prevailing.

In the Finals, Yale and Navy demonstrated intense match racing skills and were tied at 1 point each after the first two races. In the final match Yale prevailed to win the 2021 Match Race Nationals title.

Thanks to St. Petersburg Sailing Center for hosting, Chief Umpire Tom Rinda and his distinguished crew, PRO Todd Fedyszyn, St. Petersburg Sailing Center staff, and USF coaches and sailors.