EYC Team Race

The 2018 Etchells racing season has begun, and two thirds of the Make Mine A Double (aka MMAD) team is a part of the EYC team race team. The great part about that is that we can bring the communications from our boat to the team race team - and vice versa.

Since we swap roles, I get a better chance to observe Reid’s starting tactics, and he gets a chance to hear the communications I give during the sequence. And we all learn a lot about boat-boat tactics. The disciplines of team and match racing rely on rules knowledge and boat to boat tactics to make successful competitors. There is a significant trickle down to fleet racing - you can break a fleet race into a bunch of little match races, and throw some team races moves in too. who hasn’t had to slow down a sailor in the last race to try to allow a competitor to get between them so you can move up in the standings?

Ever got taken out at a mark because someone else knew the rules better? Team racing will begin to teach those rules as well.

And the other piece you get with these disciplines is boat handling. The races are really short, and precise boat handling will get you extra feet of advantage in a game where inches count.

So, if you have ever thought about it, now is the time to join. The EYC team race team is growing, while we don’t go to too many events, it isn’t for a lack of wanting to, it is for a lack of team members. We need more team members so we can fill out more teams to go places. We have at least 5 solid invitations this year that we will have to turn down, because we just don’t have the people.

C’mon out and join the team for some practices, see if it’s your gig. No experience necessary! I guarantee it will help your everyday fleet racing - even if you only race Wednesdays or Fridays!