Keelhaulers Place Second at Shields'

Ten teams were on hand in Annapolis, Maryland to contest the 2011 Service Academy Championship for the Shields Trophy Regatta at Navy. The event was sailed aboard the Academy's new MK2 44s on windward/leeward courses. Four races were sailing on Saturday in northeasterly winds that varied between 7 and 12 knots under overcast skies. The Navy Team started strong and sailed to a solid 1,1,3,1 to end the day 9 points ahead of Mass Maritime with 15 points. Kings Point finished the day strong and stood 3rd one point back with a 16 points. Cal Maritime was over the start line early in race 4 and had to re-start then had to take a penalty turn for hitting the windward mark but still in the hunt with 17 points.

Sunday Shields Trophy competitors were greeted by gray and not quite blustery conditions for the final 3 races on the Chesapeake Bay off Annapolis. Navy started the day by winning races 5 & 6 before blemishing their score line with a 6th in the last race but with victory already in hand. California Maritime returned to their usual consistent form putting up a 2,3,1 to overtake Mass Maritime for second. Mass sailed well with a 5,4,3 to hold on to third.