Sail+ Racing has been making waves in the US Grand Slam Series, showing resilience and skill across three challenging events, with one final race in Detroit ahead. We’re incredibly proud to support such a gritty, passionate, and talented team. Read about their journey, triumphs, and challenges so far, and stay tuned for the exciting finale that’s undoubtedly ahead!
Event 1: Oakcliff International 2024
The journey began at the Grade 1 Oakcliff International 2024 in Oyster Bay, New York. This was the highest event grading possible outside a world championship, setting a high bar for the team. Despite tough competition, Sail+ Racing finished 6th overall. Skipper Zac West praised the team’s ability to learn quickly and apply those lessons under pressure. “Placing 6th at Oakcliff was a great start to our campaign. The first day was difficult, but we walked away with useful learnings that we put into practice by the second day,” Zac commented. Tactician India Gilbert highlighted the excitement of competing against top-ranked teams and the reigning world match racing champion, emphasising the payoff from their months of training.
Event 2: Thompson Cup 2024
Next, the team moved to the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club for the Thompson Cup 2024, where they secured an impressive 3rd place finish. The event was marked by variable and challenging weather conditions, with Tropical Storm Debby forcing the cancellation of one day of racing. The team’s experience and adaptability shone through, especially in the quarter-finals, where they won three races in a row to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Reflecting on the event, Zac shared, “It was a really difficult last day of racing. We were looking forward to racing against Rossi again, but the conditions made it too difficult for the Race Committee to hold the final stages of the competition. I’m really proud of how the team has performed and the improvement we’ve made over the last two weeks.”
Event 3: Chicago Grand Slam 2024
The third event took the team to Chicago, where they faced tough conditions and strong competition. Sail+ Racing finished 4th overall after a hard-fought regatta that saw them perform well in the round-robin and win their quarter-finals match against Ian Garetta. The final day’s racing was particularly challenging, with strong winds and large waves testing the team’s endurance and skill. Zac West noted the difficult conditions but remained optimistic: “Chicago was a tough regatta with tricky conditions throughout the competition. The final day of racing was really hard with extremely strong winds and large waves across the course. We finished the regatta in fourth place and are super excited for the final event of the US Grand Slam in Detroit!”
Looking Ahead: Detroit Cup 2024
Now, the team is preparing for the final leg of the US Grand Slam Series, the Detroit Cup 2024, at the Bayview Yacht Club. This Grade 2 event will see the team compete against 10 other teams from August 22-25. The team will be adjusting their lineup once again, reducing to three members to tackle the unique challenges of this regatta.
As Sail+ Racing enters the final stretch of the series, their determination and adaptability continue to be their greatest strengths. We’re immeasurably proud of their achievements so far and can’t wait to see how they close out this incredible journey at the Detroit Cup.
Stay tuned for updates as the team takes on their final challenge in Detroit!
Sail+ Racing Making Waves At The US Grand Slam!
Photo Credit: Chicago Yacht Club
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