20 Apr Homegrown Team Quaglio Sweeps ABC Qualifiers
April 19, 2011 (Oyster Bay, NY): Oakcliff Sailing Center’s Mike Quaglio, Kyra Quaglio, and Mike Tolsma won the US Sailing’s ABC Qualifiers this past weekend. This US Sailing ABC Qualifier Match Race is the Quarter-final level on the road to the 2011 U.S. Match Racing Championships, October 12-16, at the Balboa Yacht Club in Southern California.
Oakcliff’s husband-wife team and their honorary “adopted son” were chosen to compete from a record number of applicants. The ten teams selected braved 39 knot winds, sporadic rain, and 40-degree temperature to vie for a spot in the ABC Quarterfinals. Prior to the two-day race, Oakcliff’s Match Race Program Director Dave Perry led a clinic in handling Shields.
“Oakcliff is quickly becoming one of the leading centers on the East Coast for competitive sailing,” said Perry. “We’re excited to continue to help raise the level of sailing in the country by hosting US Sailing qualifiers, top-tier competitions and clinics.”
On Saturday, the teams were divided into two groups. The top three from each group moved into the gold round on Sunday. Most races were neck and neck, finishing within inches and resulting in numerous tiebreakers. Bobby Martin of Boston’s Piers Park Sailing Center won two three-way tiebreakers – one in Group B to move into the gold round and then again in a battle to put him in second place overall. Martin qualified for the April 30th ABC-area Quarterfinals, held at his home sailing center in Boston. Also from Boston, Frank Tybor sailed undefeated in Group B. From Coronado, CA, the San Diego Yacht Club sailor finished in third place. Mike “Koko” Komar of Oakcliff Sailing Center placed fourth in the regatta.
“We are very proud to just compete against some of the top sailors in the US, let alone win,” said Mike Quaglio, following the regatta. “Beyond this regatta and clinic, the Oakcliff community has been extremely supportive. We are excited to keep working with them to continue to raise our level of sailing.”