NESSA Team Racing Tournament (Terk Trophy)

The NESSA Team Racing Tournament for the Terk Trophy opened with a double round robin of eight teams, 56 races. The wind was from the east at 10-12, gusting to 20, with a persistent misty rain. The teams were selected using coaches poll and a computer ranking algorithm based on their team racing results through the spring season. The top 8 teams were invited to compete for the Mark Trophy while the second group of eight teams were invited to compete for the Terk Trophy. As in recent years, the Mark was run at the same venue as the Terk, interleaving flights of 3 races for each event. The Mark was sailed in CFJs while the Terk was sailed in Fireflys.

There was 1 protest in each round, both of which were disallowed.

The NESSA Team Racing Tournament for the Terk Trophy was decided by the double round robin championship round of 12 races today. Overnight the breeze swung from the east to west-southwest with slightly more velocity, 15 gusting to 25. With scores carrying over from yesterday, the day started with three teams tied for first place with 12 wins and 2 losses each. After some tightly contested races, Boston College High School took the honors and the right to represent NESSA at the National Invitational Tourament.

Many thanks to MIT Sailing for hosting the event. Stew Craig did a stellar job fixing boats as things broke during the two days, allowing us to stay on schedule. NESSA is very fortunate for the continuing support of high school sailing by MIT Sailing.

Thanks also go out to the umpire crew: Brent Jansen (CHUMP, Saturday), etc. Thanks also to the many coaches that volunteered to man the finish boat and record scores. The event chair was Andrew Burr [Martha's Vineyard RHS]. The PRO was Andrew Nugnes [Falmouth HS MA] who ran the races from the start boat. The scorer was NESSA's Stat Geek, Carl Zimba.

Congratulations to all the participants for well-sailed races and a high level of sportsmanship. Best wishes to Boston College HS at the National Invitational Tournament.