TEAM HERITAGE IS US DEFENDER OF 2011 CANADA’S CUP ~ SAILING UPDATES REGATTA COVERAGE

Team Heritage, of Macatawa Bay Yacht Club and skippered by Bob Hughes, prevailed today to earn the right to be the US defender in next week’s Canada’s Cup versus Team Vincere over the Chicago Match Race Center’s Team Convexity. Sail22′s Sailing Updates is providing coverage of the Canada’s Cup 2011 Defender Trials racing action with blogging, video and photography. One race today rwas all Team Heritage needed to become the defender and they came from behind to win the one and only race of the day. Heritage won the first cross about ten boat lengths off of the line. When Convexity and Heritage met again half way up the beat, Convexity had a gained a solid three boat length lead. Convexity tacked for the windward mark early, which allowed Heritage to take advantage of a shift on the right. Convexity gybe set at the top mark and Heritage split and headed toward shore. Heritage’s tactician, Morgan Larson, made the correct call, as when they came back to meet Convexity, they were able to gybe in front of them with a three boat length lead. Heritage continued to gain separation throughout the rest of the race, protecting the left side of the course in a tacking duel and went on to win the race with over a minute at the finish. Photos from today’s racing action can be viewed in the Sail22 Photography Gallery by Becky Furry. We are looking forward to covering next week’s Canada’s Cup racing action on Sailing Updates with Team Heritage and Team Vincere of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club vying for the cup.