MASSA Team Race Championship

Old Dominion University welcomed 12 district high schools to the 2023 MASSA Fall Team Race Championship on the Elizabeth River.

Sailors endured less than comfortable conditions starting the morning with overcast skies and SSE winds at 8-15 mph gusting to 19mph. A bit of light sprinkle began shortly after first warning, giving false hope that the weather wouldn’t be too unpleasant. However committee, umps, and sailors endured all of the sorts of precipitation progressing through drizzle to full on downpour at 60 degrees F. We had a lull just before noon as the wind shifted east, eventually clocking back to SSW, then S, and the on to SE before a late afternoon lull around 4:30 resulting in a postponement that led to concluding racing for the evening just before 5PM. Afternoon wind velocity varied between 4 and 13 mph with gusts up to 17 mph. Seas remained relatively flat with an occasional gentle roll from distant passing commercial traffic.

45 races were accomplished. The day concluded with Severn School winning the tie-breaker to lead in first place, followed by Christchurch School holding second place, and Norfolk Academy sitting in third place.

Another blustery day met sailors with NNW morning winds from 13-17 mph and gusts from 20-25 mph. Light rain gave way to clear skies around 10AM. The three foot waves fetching directly onto the launch ramp made it unsafe to launch the boats. High tide covering the pickings on the sides of the ramp further compounded the difficulty launching. Sailors were postponed ashore until just before noon when it was apparent that time and conditions would not allow for completion of the full round robin and the decision was made to opt for SI 3.5.2 Plan C.

Races 31 through 45 were removed from Tech score leaving Severn in first place followed by Christchurch School in second place in Division 1, and Hampton Roads Academy in first place followed by Archbishop Spaulding in second place in Division 2.

Just after noon, the wind settled to 10-15 with gusts up 18 mph and the seas settled to about a foot and a half. The decision was then made to proceed with SI 3.5.2.1 Option 1 and sail a Final Four with the top two teams from each division. Boats were launched and the Final Four round was completed at about 1:45PM.

Final results found Christchurch School in first place with 7 wins and on loss, followed by Severn School in second place with 6 wins and two losses, and Hampton Roads Academy in third place with 5 wins and three losses.

We extend our greatest thanks to everyone who made the regatta a success, especially Michael Collins who served as PRO, and the umpires Christine Acetella, Jerry Thompson, Anna Patterson, Carter Little, Dan Montgomery, and ODU sailors, Parker, Tyler and Ryder. And to Old Dominion Sailing, many thanks to all of the sailors who were the meat behind the event serving in all all manner roles.