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NYYC Great Grand Masters Invitational Team Race Regatta

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Team SDYC Competes in Inaugural “Great Grand Masters” Team Race at NYYC Harbour Court

by Casey Schnoor

In late August, Team SDYC traveled to NYYC Harbour Court in Newport, RI, to compete in the first ever Great Grand Masters Team Race Invitational. This special event was made possible by the kind outreach of NYYC, who extended an invitation to the SDYC Challenge Committee in recognition of the strong and respectful racing relationship between our two clubs and their desire for our involvement in this new event. SDYC was honored to join this elite fleet, and we were proud to represent our club in this distinguished competition.

The regatta featured eight notable teams from prominent yacht clubs across the country, each fielding three boats with skippers over 70 and crew over 60 years old. Racing was held in NYYC’s fleet of 22’ Sonars, following the classic team racing round robin format—similar to the other five team race invitationals hosted by NYYC each summer: Women’s, Morgan, Hinman, Masters, and Grand Masters.

SDYC assembled a talented group of “seasoned” and respected fleet racers from both coasts, looking to apply their skills to the team race format. While the depth of SDYC’s team racing experience didn’t quite extend into this "geezer group”, we were eager to learn—and quick to appreciate—the unique tactics and teamwork that define the discipline.

Our arrival coincided with a distant but impactful Hurricane Erin, which added a twist to the usual Newport summer conditions. We squeezed in Wednesday’s practice session just before the rain arrived, managing to get comfortable in the Sonars while sailing in a fresh breeze.

Thursday marked the official start of racing, with the RC’s goal of completing the first round robin before the storm’s impact was to be felt. Conditions were sporty — 18-20 knots, gusting to 24 — which made for exciting sailing but limited the opportunity for the teams to fully dig into the team race tool bag. After six very close races but only a couple of wins, we returned somewhat unscathed to Harbour Court, windblown but enthusiastic, just in time to watch the storm whip the yard arm flags and watch the waves crash into Narragansett Sound. Team NYYC dominated the day with an undefeated scorecard. Our host NYYC then capped off the day with a terrific dinner, giving all of us Great Grand Geezers the chance to reconnect and trade some truly vintage sailing stories. Advil and an early bed call quickly followed.

Friday arrived with clearing skies and a lingering breeze in the mid to high teens. The team race tools were in full display across the course as the breeze slowly laid down to 6-8 knots. NYYC continued their dominance with another undefeated day, earning eight more wins. They entered the best of 3 gold fleet sail-off alongside Noroton YC and went on to sweep it to claim the overall victory for the home team.

Unsurprisingly, NYYC delivered an impeccably run regatta. Their race committee managed the 47 races in flights of three simultaneous paired up races on a very tight course with precision, supported by a full complement of dedicated on-the-water judges. All of this while navigating highly unusual weather conditions. Their professionalism and hospitality were second to none.

On behalf of the SDYC Team, thank you to SDYC Board, membership and the Challenge and Competition Fund Committees for supporting the Geezer entry into the world of team racing. We had a fantastic time, learned a tremendous amount, and are highly motivated to return next year with many new tactical tools in our bag.

Special thanks go to:

Jake Reynolds for his outstanding chalk talk and strategic insights, Coleen Cook for her judging expertise on the practice waters, and to the many SDYC\J22 sailors aged 15+ who generously shared their team racing wisdom and challenged us during our Thursday training sessions.

We’re grateful to all who supported our efforts and can’t wait to keep building team racing at SDYC—because you're never too old to learn a new trick on the racecourse!

SDYC Team Geezer
Gary Weisman, Chuck Driscoll, Jim Dorsey
Chuck Sinks, John Gladstone, Chris Snow
Chuck Hope, Whitney Gladstone, Chick Pyle
Casey Schnoor, Mary Sue Gladstone, Dave Vieregg

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