Youth Sailors on USA 76 for GGYC Midwinter Race 4

In her own words, Golden Gate Yacht Club youth sailor Olivia gives us a regatta report about her experience sailing on USA76 with the ACSailingSF crew.

America’s Cup Challenger USA 76 Regata Report

Manuel Fagundes Seaweed Soup Regatta, Midwinter Race 4

Olivia, February 7th, 2015 

I had no idea what to expect, but was nervous and excited as I arrived at Pier 39’s Dock B and saw the USA 76. After a quick orientation we boarded the boat and ventured out of the harbor. I had the privilege of assisting the crew with multiple tasks throughout the sail. First I raised the main sail using one of the grinders which was quite a task because of the 115 foot mast height and massive sail. I got to time the start which felt like a lot of responsibility and definitely added to the anticipation. I had to yell out at 30 second intervals the remaining time until the starting gun would sound, which was a fun challenge because I’m generally more quiet. The start went reasonably well as we were the 2nd boat over the line after the Tom Cat.

Much to my surprise and delight they let me take the wheel on the first leg of the race. This was both frightening and exhilarating because most of my prior experience has been on FJ’s and 420’s. I learned that the USA 76 is a member of the International Americas Cup Class with a few small modifications including the metal safety rails along the perimeter.  This particular boat was used by Oracle BMW racing to compete in the 2003 America’s Cup.  

The race was conveniently timed between two storms, so the weather was actually not too bad. The wind came in from SSE at approximately 9mph, which is slightly above San Francisco’s average of 8mph in magnitude, but the south east direction was unusual.  We finished in 6th place at 1:12:27 (PHRF adjusted to 1:23:46) after Bodacious, Zamazaan, California Condor, Tomcat, and Wicked Sister, all of which used spinnakers. I learned that the US Coast Guard has a restriction on sail area in the bay and consequently the USA 76 cannot use a spinnaker because of the excessive power it would create. The boat mainly lost time due to the fact that legs three and five were on a lay line, preventing USA 76 from using her greatest advantage: the ability to sail closer to the wind. 

I am very thankful to Ellen Hoke , Golden Gate Yacht Club, and the USA 76’s crew for providing me with this fantastic experience, many new insights to sailing and an amazing unforgettable memory.

Youth Sailors on USA76 / ACSailingSF

For the 2014-2015 Mid-Winter season, I wanted to "pay it forward" in the sailing community.  Working with ACSailingSF, I have established the Hoke Sailing Grant with a purpose of providing the opportunity for sailors in the Golden Gate Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program the chance to race during the GGYC Mid-Winter Regatta on USA76, a former America's Cup racing vessel.

The recipients of the grant from December and January have written reports on their experience.  Two races remain in the series, so two additional youth sailors will have the opportunity to get out there and race for their club on an America's Cup yacht.

Anahita at the helm during leg one

My ACSailingSFA Experience - by Anahita (January Race)

As I am going to pursue my studies in Paris, the water and sailing on the bay is the one thing I will miss the most. Being a sailor and spending quality time on San Francisco Bay, it was with great honor and appreciation that I was able to crew for USA76 during the GGYC Mid Winter Regatta on January 3, 2015. 

As a big fan of Oracle Team USA and the America’s Cup, it was fulfilling a childhood dream of mine to sail on one of the boats previously used in the America’s Cup, and previously used by some of the best sailors in the world. I was in awe of the way USA76 skimmed the choppy bay with perfect fluidity and grace. I have watched this boat glide through the water, but being onboard this majestic piece of history was surreal. Every moment of this regatta was enriching: from learning the history of the boat and its origins, to feeling my adrenaline pump as we approached each mark with speed and energy. It was very interesting to hear the crew strategize about how to sail every leg of the race. 

Anahita working at the coffee grinder

Although I was having a great time on the water, I was also learning new tactics from the crew. Onboard, I got to grind and skipper for the whole first leg of the race. I did not know the other people guest crewing for USA76, but working together as a team created a special bond between us and I was not shy to talk to most of the other team members. 

It was an experience I will never forget. I hope to be able to sail on this amazing boat again someday. I would like to thank Ellen Hoke from the bottom of my heart for the experience of a lifetime, because without her, none of this would have been possible!

Merci Beaucoup,
Anahita

After racing, the GGYC Tender did a drive by in support

My ACSailngSF Experience by Sterling (December Race)

On December 6th, 2014, I embarked on a ride on USA76 with a crew who I’ve never met before. Being on the boat was something magical due to its history of being raced by some of the best sailors in the world. My experience sailing with its crew and other passengers was fantastic. 

Being around people who didn’t really ask too much about my personal life wasn’t really an issue since everyone’s focus was on sailing as well as my own. I was able to work the grinders a whole lot which was so much fun as well as being able to skipper for awhile! I actually enjoyed grinding a lot more because I race small boats such as the FJ and 29ers and being designated as the crew meant a lot to me on the inside. 

Throughout my time on the water, I was able to get over the weird feeling of not knowing anybody and simply focussed on doing my job as a crew and having fun while doing so. I didn’t really talk too much to everyone but if I could take back one thing back it would be that. Being the youngest on the ship felt a bit weird but as I kept working with everyone and sharing a few laughs here a there, I wished that I got to learn from these older men who had years of experience with sailing who were probably on an entirely different level of sailing than I was for sure. 


I personally wish I could sail for the rest of my life so by the end, being around these wise and positive people really made the experience so much more worth going than I expected. I hope that one day I could possibly be a crew member of such a beautiful boat such as USA76 all while working alongside many others whose goal is similar to mine - to sail and be happy. 

I really enjoyed my time on the boat and I honestly wish I could do it a few more times in the near future before I leave to go to college. I would like to thank all the official crew members that I worked with on the boat who kept such a positive attitude throughout the whole regatta and to those who were alongside me for the ride who, in a way, made me feel accepted as someone who isn’t super familiar with sailing big boats. 

Thank you so much for the experience,

Sterling