MESSAGES FROM OUR FLEET CAPTAIN, MARK SMITH:
January 2, 2007
ORANGE BOWL
Imagine yourself as an eight-year old who has taken sailing lessons for three or four months and finding yourself in among over 600 junior sailors and as many coaches and parents and your first international regatta. The Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta, held every year between Christmas and New Years, in Miami, is quite an experience for the uninitiated and veterans. Junior sailors from all over the world descended on Coconut Grove’s waterfront to compete in Optimist prams, Laser 4.7’s, Laser Radials, Lasers and Club 420’s. While the Juniors and their parents were busy finding parking spaces, rigging and launching out of the neighboring US Sailing Center, Coral Reef Yacht Club and Biscayne Bay Yacht Club the Laser Masters and Lightning sailors enjoyed peace and tranquility over at Coconut Grove Sailing Club. -- by Lynn Fitzpatrick, full story:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/0101/
Club 420: 1. T. Sinks & M. Renoir; 2. T. Canfield & P. Emsiek; 3. C. Barnard & C. Segerblom; 4. T. Fink & B. Ross; 5. R. Vann & A. Lorenzen
Laser Radial Rig: 1. Colin Smith; 2. Marco Teixidor; 3. Sarah Lihan; 4.Michael Menninger; 5. Philip Alley
Laser Full Rig: 1. Kyle Rogachenko; 2. Zack Marks; 3. Fred Strammer; 4.Charlie Buckingham; 5. David Hernandez
Laser 4.7: 1. David Alfonso; 2. Eric Lawrenc; 3. Olin Davis; 4. Patrick Carolus; 5. Grady Timmins
Optimist (RWB): 1. Mac Agnese; 2. Anthony Bailey; 3. Declan Whitmyer; 4.Takumi Saitama; 5. Kenta Nakauchi
October 31, 2006
READER COMMENTARY - Tad Springer
(October 30, 2006) The Finn’s future was dramatically displayed at the recent Olympic Pre-Trials, hosted by Newport Harbor Yacht Club in Newport Beach, CA. The fact alone of being the largest fleet of all the Pre-Trials classes is extraordinary, but a closer look reveals something equally exceptional. Of the 38 sailors competing, 28 were from California, with Newport Harbor Yacht Club currently having 23 Finns. The NHYC fleet now represents the largest fleet in North America, and likely ranks as one of the largest in the world.
The growth of this fleet didn’t just happen or evolve on its own; it was built through a thoughtful and proven process. Nurturing enthusiasm, educating, planning, and constant communication is the result of a vision less then 12 months old. Certainly having the trials in our own backyard helped with the vision, "it is always important to have a point to journey towards, but in the end it’s the journey that counts." The fleet represents several generations, but the stability of growth in our fleet is in the more mature versus the Olympic aspirant. A majority of our fleet spent their youth in the Finn, but more importantly age has opened the door to a new sector that wasn’t available in their youth, whereas "what you lose on top, you tend to pick up around the middle and all of a sudden you’re Finn Size."
On any Sunday you will find 5 to 10 boats rigging up for an informal training secession, and while the competitive spirit is alive, friendship and comradely are the binding substance of our fleet. The NHYC fleet is planning to travel to Florida for several key regattas, which include the Coaches Regatta in Clearwater, FL (December), Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (January), and the class Midwinters in Ft. Lauderdale (February). Next year also presents the opportunity for travel to Europe and sail the Masters Gold Cup in Spain and hit part of the European Circuit prior to returning to Newport for training leading up to the Trials.
Our fleet continues to grow, which I attribute to both the visible fun a bunch of old guys are having along with the majesty of the boat itself. The Finn has a complex simplicity that rewards the ability to solve simultaneous multivariable situations, but beyond any aspect it rewards fitness. This has been a life benefit to many members of our fleet; they are training in the gym, cycling, indoor rowing, yoga, and incorporating nutrition programs.
Looking down the road after the Trials, Philippe Kahn is working on bringing the Gold Cup to San Francisco in 2009, and the Olympic Trials for 2012 could more than likely end up in the San Francisco Bay area to match the windy venue in the UK. I bought a Finn for the pure joy of sailing it; the true bonus is being able to do it with my friends. - Tad Springer,
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/06/1030Sept 11, 2006
The 2006 Junior Snipe Championships were held this past weekend at CGSC. 5 races in total. LYC skippers dominated, summary results out of 12 participants - 1. Sheehan Commette 2. Dominique Wright 4. Erika Reineke 6. Mac Agnese 8. Alec Payne 9. Marissa Lihan See attached pictures and results. Mark The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments: Shortcut to: http://www.cgsc.org/gui/coconutgrove275/pageimages/Regattas/snipejuniorr esults.pdf
8/22/2006
Congratualtions to Peter and Sheehan for placing 5th at the Snipe North American Championships
|
2006 SCIRA North American Championship Regatta – Gull Lake Yacht Club – Richland MI – Fianl Results |
|
Sailed:6 Discards:1 To count:5 Entries:54 |
|||||||||||||
|
Rank |
Bow | Fleet | Nat | Helm | Crew |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
R4 |
R5 |
R6 |
Total |
Nett |
|
1st |
27 | Miami | USA | Augie Diaz | Pam Kelly |
(14.00) |
4.00 |
0.75 |
6.00 |
3.00 |
4.00 |
31.75 |
17.75 |
|
2nd |
32 | Miami | USA | Ernesto Rodriguez | Merrill Varn |
2.00 |
0.75 |
11.00 |
0.75 |
4.00 |
(13.00) |
31.50 |
18.50 |
|
3rd |
19 | Annapolis | USA | Brian Bissell | Bryan Stout |
8.00 |
8.00 |
5.00 |
(9.00) |
0.75 |
0.75 |
31.50 |
22.50 |
|
4th |
13 | Jacksonville | USA | Hal Gilreath | Alex Stout |
3.00 |
12.00 |
2.00 |
4.00 |
(16.00) |
2.00 |
39.00 |
23.00 |
|
5th |
12 | Annapolis | USA | Henry Filter | Wilson Stout |
5.00 |
2.00 |
(10.00) |
7.00 |
4.00 |
8.00 |
36.00 |
26.00 |
|
6th |
14 | Miami | USA | Peter Commette | Sheehan Commette |
7.00 |
9.00 |
4.00 |
3.00 |
10.00 |
(18.00) |
51.00 |
33.00 |
|
7th |
47 | Winchester | USA | John MacRae | Linda Epstein |
17.00 |
3.00 |
6.00 |
2.00 |
(20.00) |
6.00 |
54.00 |
34.00 |
|
8th |
05 | Lake Lanier SC | USA | Mike Funsch | Dave Meyer |
(34.00) |
6.00 |
3.00 |
8.00 |
15.00 |
7.00 |
73.00 |
39.00 |
|
9th |
48 | Annapolis | USA | Nicolas Granucci | Ignacio Saralegui |
6.00 |
10.00 |
(15.00) |
13.00 |
6.00 |
5.00 |
55.00 |
40.00 |
|
10th |
08 | Surf City YC | USA | Lee Griffith | Lorie Stout |
(12.00) |
7.00 |
7.00 |
11.00 |
9.00 |
10.00 |
56.00 |
44.00 |
|
11th |
34 | 747 | USA | Lee Sackett | Mandy Sackett |
(58.00 OCS) |
17.00 |
9.00 |
10.00 |
7.00 CNF |
3.00 |
104.00 |
46.00 |
|
12th |
30 | Newport | USA | Andrew Pimental | Julia Langford |
0.75 |
14.00 |
(19.00) |
5.00 |
17.00 |
11.00 |
66.75 |
47.75 |
|
13th |
20 | Milwaukee | USA | Mike Blackwood | Patty Mueller |
9.00 |
5.00 |
8.00 |
14.00 |
(30.00) |
12.00 |
78.00 |
48.00 |
|
14th |
15 | Valle De Bravo | MEX | Jorge Murrieta | Andres Akle |
(45.00) |
11.00 |
14.00 |
15.00 |
8.00 |
19.00 |
112.00 |
67.00 |
|
15th |
46 | Guelph Lake | CAN | Craig Noakes | Heather Marshall |
16.00 |
16.00 |
13.00 |
(19.00) |
14.00 |
9.00 |
87.00 |
68.00 |
|
16th |
42 | Winchester | USA | Harry Levinson | Sarah Levinson |
20.00 |
15.00 |
25.00 |
12.00 |
7.00 |
(30.00) |
109.00 |
79.00 |
|
17th |
11 | Alamitos Bay | USA | Jerry Thompson | Mandi Smith |
4.00 |
26.00 |
12.00 |
23.00 |
(33.00) |
16.00 |
114.00 |
81.00 |
|
18th |
03 | SanFrancisco | USA | Mike Dinsdale | Lars Leckie |
15.00 |
21.00 |
17.00 |
18.00 |
12.00 |
(31.00) |
114.00 |
83.00 |
|
19th |
26 | Miami | USA | Gonzo Diaz | Andrea Wilsen |
10.00 |
23.00 |
16.00 |
(25.00) |
13.00 |
24.00 |
111.00 |
86.00 |
|
20th |
21 | Spanish Point BC | BER | Stephen Dickinson | Leatrice Roman |
(46.00) |
22.00 |
18.00 |
20.00 |
11.00 |
17.00 |
134.00 |
88.00 |
|
21st |
04 | Barton Pond | USA | Terry Timm | Aubrey Timm |
11.00 |
19.00 |
(48.00) |
30.00 |
25.00 |
15.00 |
148.00 |
100.00 |
|
22nd |
35 | Gull Lake | USA | Chad Coberly | Michelle Coberly |
24.00 |
20.00 |
20.00 |
27.00 |
(40.00) |
14.00 |
145.00 |
105.00 |
|
23rd |
09 | 747 | USA | Jno Disch | Karen Disch |
18.00 |
13.00 |
23.00 |
(37.00) |
24.00 |
32.00 |
147.00 |
110.00 |
|
24th |
28 | Cowan Lake SA | USA | Bob Rowland | Sandy Rowland |
32.00 |
24.00 |
21.00 |
17.00 |
27.00 |
(37.00) |
158.00 |
121.00 |
|
25th |
17 | Winchester | USA | Andrew Klein | Barb Evans |
13.00 |
29.00 |
(58.00 OCS) |
22.00 |
32.00 |
26.00 |
180.00 |
122.00 |
|
26th |
39 | Milwaukee | USA | Mark Heup | Julie Heup |
19.00 |
30.00 |
28.00 |
16.00 |
35.00 |
(45.00) |
173.00 |
128.00 |
|
27th |
31 | Guelph Lake | CAN | Dirk Kneulman | Peter Kneulman |
(38.00) |
18.00 |
30.00 |
34.00 |
19.00 |
33.00 |
172.00 |
134.00 |
|
28th |
22 | Guelph Lake | CAN | Chris Hains | Don Hains |
(44.00) |
27.00 |
31.00 |
33.00 |
22.00 |
22.00 |
179.00 |
135.00 |
|
29th |
23 | Milwaukee | USA | Tom Peterson | Jim Peterson |
(43.00) |
36.00 |
27.00 |
31.00 |
18.00 |
25.00 |
180.00 |
137.00 |
|
29th |
10 | 591 | PUR | Jesus Rodrigez | Jorge Santiago |
23.00 |
40.00 |
22.00 |
24.00 |
28.00 |
(52.00 DNF) |
189.00 |
137.00 |
|
31st |
52 | SPYC | USA | John Hagman | Jeff Hagman |
26.00 |
(41.00) |
40.00 |
26.00 |
31.00 |
21.00 |
185.00 |
144.00 |
|
32nd |
24 | Gull Lake | USA | Jim Richter | Catherine Miles |
37.00 |
25.00 |
24.00 |
28.00 |
36.00 |
(39.00) |
189.00 |
150.00 |
|
33rd |
43 | Indianapolis SC | USA | Tom Townsend | Conner Kohl |
41.00 |
(46.00) |
29.00 |
21.00 |
37.00 |
23.00 |
197.00 |
151.00 |
|
34th |
25 | Milwaukee | USA | Tim Putney | Katlyn Putney |
22.00 |
(45.00) |
42.00 |
29.00 |
41.00 |
20.00 |
199.00 |
154.00 |
|
35th |
06 | Gull Lake | USA | John Crookston | Benjamin Crookston |
21.00 |
42.00 ZFP |
37.00 |
36.00 |
21.00 |
(52.00 DNF) |
209.00 |
157.00 |
|
36th |
53 | Cowan Lake SA | USA | Mac Jacob | Suzie Jacob |
28.00 |
28.00 |
39.00 |
39.00 |
(53.00 CNF) |
27.00 |
214.00 |
161.00 |
|
37th |
50 | Detroit | USA | John McAllister | Brian McAllister |
35.00 |
35.00 |
34.00 |
35.00 |
29.00 |
(43.00) |
211.00 |
168.00 |
|
38th |
51 | Guelph Lake | CAN | Harri Palm | Molly Kuruink |
40.00 |
42.00 |
33.00 |
32.00 |
23.00 |
(47.00) |
217.00 |
170.00 |
|
38th |
36 | Portage Lakes YC | USA | JR (Dick) Hand | Victor Gravenstein |
25.00 |
33.00 |
(49.00) |
44.00 |
34.00 |
34.00 |
219.00 |
170.00 |
|
40th |
41 | Gull Lake | USA | Stanley McKay | Krista McKay |
27.00 |
32.00 |
36.00 |
(48.00) |
39.00 |
40.00 ZFP |
222.00 |
174.00 |
|
41st |
49 | Milwaukee | USA | Bill Goggins | Dan Gautraud |
(47.00) |
39.00 |
26.00 |
40.00 |
47.00 |
36.00 |
235.00 |
188.00 |
|
41st |
40 | Gull Lake | USA | Charlie Young | Aaron Thompson |
31.00 |
38.00 |
32.00 |
45.00 |
42.00 |
(52.00 DNS) |
240.00 |
188.00 |
|
43rd |
18 | Valle DeBravo | MEX | Martin Merino | Patricia Valdespino |
48.00 |
47.00 |
35.00 |
(49.00) |
26.00 |
42.00 |
247.00 |
198.00 |
|
43rd |
16 | Newport YC | USA | Matthew Disch | Wendy Dannels |
33.00 |
(52.00) |
41.00 |
38.00 |
45.00 |
41.00 |
250.00 |
198.00 |
|
45th |
33 | Cowan Lake SA | USA | Bill Worster | Katie Worster |
42.00 |
34.00 |
43.00 |
46.00 |
(54.00 CNF) |
35.00 |
254.00 |
200.00 |
|
46th |
01 | Gull Lake | USA | Eric Ulbrich | Betsy Ulbrich |
29.00 |
(53.00 CNF) |
45.00 |
41.00 |
44.00 |
44.00 |
256.00 |
203.00 |
|
47th |
07 | Atlanta YC | USA | Jack Smith | Pete Gregory |
39.00 |
43.00 |
46.00 |
52.00 |
(53.00) |
28.00 |
261.00 |
208.00 |
|
48th |
45 | Indianapolis SC | USA | Tug Townsend | Katie Rucker |
(49.00) |
44.00 |
38.00 |
43.00 |
38.00 |
48.00 |
260.00 |
211.00 |
|
49th |
29 | Indianapolis | USA | Cliff Browning | Ros Lim |
51.00 |
37.00 |
44.00 |
42.00 |
(52.00) |
38.00 |
264.00 |
212.00 |
|
50th |
44 | Indianapolis SC | USA | Bill Townsend | Elliot Thompson |
36.00 |
49.00 |
50.00 |
47.00 |
(51.00) |
40.00 |
273.00 |
222.00 |
|
51st |
38 | Gull Lake | USA | Fred Einspahr | Alice Martino |
30.00 |
50.00 |
47.00 |
50.00 |
46.00 |
(52.00 DNF) |
275.00 |
223.00 |
|
52nd |
37 | Portage Lakes YC | USA | Rumpi Gravenstein | Paige Gravenstein |
50.00 |
(53.00) |
52.00 |
53.00 |
43.00 |
46.00 |
297.00 |
244.00 |
|
53rd |
02 | U.S.Virgin Islands | USV | Thomas Kozyn | Theresa Gedda |
(53.00) |
51.00 |
53.00 RAF |
51.00 |
50.00 |
49.00 |
307.00 |
254.00 |
|
54th |
54 | Guelph Lake | CAN | Adrian Dangerfield | Emily Dangerfield |
52.00 |
(54.00 DNF) |
51.00 |
54.00 |
54.00 DNF |
DNC |
319.00 |
265.00 |
8/21/2006
TEAM USA
Anna Tunnicliffe has been selected by her teammates to carry the Stars and Stripes at the opening ceremony of the Qingdao International Regatta on Sunday night. "The Olympic venue is still getting its finishing touches and we don't move onto the site until Saturday," Tunnicliffe said. "Until then, we're based at the Yinhai International Yacht Club which, itself, was only built three years ago. Although the venue is off limits, there was a practice session for the flag bearers which meant that I got a sneak peek at all the work the Chinese have put in to create the new waterfront facility. It's very cool, quite awesome.
"I got in some good sailing practice yesterday, about two and a half hours in a breeze that varied between eight and 15 knots. This was an offshore breeze which is not the normal condition for Qingdao, but that always happens. I trained with Brad Funk and Andrew Campbell, the two US Team Laser contestants, and worked on upwind and downwind speed and checked the current. There was a very short chop, very much like Santa Monica Bay, if not worse. The current wasn't as strong as the previous day but it was still ripping hard," Tunnicliffe concluded. -- http://www.annatunnicliffe.com
8/14/2006
AMERICAN SWEEP
California YC, Marina del Rey, Calif. --- Kyle Rogachenko, who finished eighth at last year’s Laser Radial Youth Worlds in Fortaleza, Brazil, became the first American to win the Laser Radial Youth Worlds Championships Saturday, while 15-year-old Claire Dennis in the girls competition and Bill Petersen in the boys' Silver fleet completed an American sweep of the event.
Rogachenko, 18, of Collegeville, Pa. and Dennis of San Francisco led their classes entering the sixth and last day. Rogachenko paced the 70-boat boys' Gold fleet by 10 points and Dennis was the leader among 39 girls by eight points. But with the second throwouts still to kick in, they had to hold off strong bids from their nearest contenders---Brazil's Guilherme Barbosa Lima in the boys and Spain's Susan Romero in the girls.
Dennis didn't have to sail the last race, in which she cruised to 11th place, her only double-digit finish in 10 races. She turned 15 only 33 days earlier, was the minimum age for the event. Also remarkable was that the previous week she competed in the women's championship and qualified for the upper Gold fleet, among the grown-ups. The Radial will be the women's new single-handed dinghy for the Olympics in China in 2008, but Dennis isn't really interested. "I'm going to be a sophomore in high school," she said. "Maybe in 2012." -- Rich Roberts,
http://www.calyachtclub.comLaser Radial Youth Worlds, Male -- 133 boats:
1. Kyle Rogachenko, USA, 62 2. Guilherme Barbosa Lima, BRA 75 3. Mathew Archibald, ESP CAN, 84 4. Joaquin Blanco, ESP,86 5. James Sandall, NZL, 96 Laser Radial Youth Worlds, Female -- 38 boats: 1. Claire Dennis, USA, 17 2. Susana Romero, ESP, 19 3. Allie Blecher, USA, 25 4. Laura Maes, BEL, 31 5. Stephanie Roble, USA, 41 12. Sarah Lihan, USA, 97 From: Sumbutty420@aol.com [mailto:Sumbutty420@aol.com] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 11:45 AM To: Smith, Mark Subject: (no subject)
This picture was taken on stage at the award ceremony in a castle in Palma de Mallorca on Sunday night. The Regatta was the "King’s Cup" otherwise known as the "Copa del Rey" which is the largest keelboat event is Europe. Smallest boat was around 40’ and the largest around 60’. There were over 250 yachts competing...We had 22 in our TP52 Class and most of the boats were crewed and driven by America’s Cup crews and Volvo70 crews...some of the names on the helm include: Roussel Coutts, Paul Cayard, King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Harald of Norway, Torbin Grael, Vince Brun, Ben Ainsle, Mark Mendleblatt, Gavin Brady, Dee Smith, Mark Reynolds, Dean Barker, Vasco Viscotti, Ray Davies, and the list goes on and on and on....Our team had no less than 6 guys who’ve won at least one America’s Cup and multiple Volvo/Witbread races and are racing on various AC teams in Valencia including BMW/Oracle and Luna Rossa.
Our TP52 "Pinta" team went on stage to receive our 3rd place trophy in our TP52 Class...we had the honor of shaking hands with the King and Queen of Spain who also raced a TP52 "Bribon" and his son, the Crown Prince of Spain with yet his own TP52 "Aifos" and his wife, the Princess. After the awards, King Juan Carlos and the Queen made a point to come over and chat with our team for 15+ minutes and mentioned he’s a fan of Illbruck Racing and Pinta over the years...Unfortunately, Michael Illbruck and John Kostecki had flights to catch after racing Sunday so they missed the gala. Ross Halcrow and I were left to lead the team....
Note: Laser Radial Women's World's have been taking place for several days now at California Yacht Club. At this point the fleet has been split into Gold and Silver based upon the results of the first several races. Anna Tunnicliffe who has been training at LYC and has helped with coaching is currently in 2nd overall and clearly in the hunt for top honors. Sarah is competing in the Silver fleet in the 10th spot. The following is the write up from Scuttlebutt on the event and you can get more detailed info on the event from Anna at her website,
www.annatunnicliffe.com.CHINA'S XU LEADS BY 8
Marina del Rey, Calif.
—Two days earlier Paige Railey, the defending champion who was struggling in the Laser Radial Women's Worlds, allowed that "I've got to step it up."In light of the ill wind that blew her way Wednesday, that is now an understatement. Minutes after an encouraging fifth in the day's first race, she was compelled to withdraw from the second. Her boat was OK; the only thing broken was her heart. She is in seventh place, 27 points behind the new leader, Lijia Xu of China.
Railey was yellow-flagged by an on-water judge for sculling---i.e., thrashing her tiller to and fro to gain propulsion---at the start.
Because it was her second such violation of the week---the first drew only a double penalty turn---she had to drop out and take a last-place score or lose the option of using the race as a discard at the end of the six championship round races through Friday. She returned to the California Yacht Club launch ramp under tow by her coach, reportedly in tears.
Railey, ranked No. 1 in the world in the women's new Olympic class, started the championship round in 11th place in the 45-boat Gold fleet, which became the elite group after the first 6 of 12 races comprising the qualifying series. The other 44 boats are now sailing for Silver honors. Railey, 19, of Florida, actually was fifth before the first discard kicked in after Tuesday's races (an adjustment in the standings completed after the evening's press release) but her worst discard was a 12th, while France's Solenne Brain temporarily moved into first place by dropping a 21st and Xu skyrocketed into third by tossing a 33rd.
Xu is thriving with a string of 2-3-3 finishes in the big winds that blessed the last three races. After hitting 16 knots late Tuesday, the breeze started at 15 Wednesday and built to 17, with seas of 3 to 4 feet that tossed the little boats like corks. And Xu (pronounced zoo) is learning to love it. - Rich Roberts
Women’s Gold Fleet: 1. Lijia Xu, China, 6-4-6-(33)-3-2-3-3, 27 points. 2. Anna Tunnicliffe, Florida, 3-1-3-7-7-9-(24)-5, 35. 3. Sarah Steyaert, France, 1-24-(32)-1-6-1-2-2, 37. 4. Katarzyna Szotynska, Poland, 12-7-1-2-7-6-(27)-8, 43. 5. Solenne Brain, France, 6-2-2-5-1-21-9-(29), 46. Women's Silver Fleet: 10. Sarah Lihan,| 33 | 11 | (35) | 28 | 31 | 27 | 6 | 3, 139 |
LYC MEMBER JEFF ECKLUND IS 2006 MELGES 32 NATIONAL CHAMPION
23 JULY 2006 • Jeff Ecklund and his "STAR" crew are the 2006 Melges 32
National Champions! On board with Jeff is Harry Melges, III calling tactics,
Hans Melges, Bill Wiggins, Jim Condon "Big Jim", Andy Labanauskas "Rooster" and
former "Heart of America" America's Cup team member Bill Chamberlain. "We are
all really happy to win the very first Melges 32 National Championship. Newport
is a great place to sail. It's awesome." commented Ecklund.
The Melges 32 will not disappoint and the final day of the National Championship
is proof. Until now the teams have enjoyed a wide range of conditions from big
seas and monster swells, rain, fog, to 5-18 knots of breeze that produced
downwind planning that will be spoken about for a long, long time. Every team on
Saturday afternoon had smiles from ear-to-ear, which they proudly carried with
them to the big evening party at the New York Yacht Club like badges of courage.
The physical reinactments of the teams shifting their weight aft planning
downwind was just part of sharing the experience and exhilerating performance of
the Melges 32.
For Sunday's races, overcast skies and somewhat shifty conditions led to a brief
race postponement. One hour later the Melges 32s jostled for position at the
start under sunny skies and 5-8 knots of breeze. Ecklund and Kullman kept each
other close, as if attempting to anticipate each others moves. Both with one
goal in mind - no mistakes. Despite the nervousness, the fleet made a clean
start. Ecklund jetted off to leeward, Kullman preferring the middle of the
course. Half way to the weathermark, the race was abandoned due to a complete
shift in the wind some 25-30 degrees. The fleet returned to the starting line.
The additional postponement lasted only a few minutes, resulting in resetting
the course at 200 degrees, 1.5 mile legs, on a windward, leeward course. On the
second start Ecklund got hung out to dry as he was forced to OCS at the
committee boat. Ecklund quickly recovered and got back up to speed. The right
side was definitely favored, Kullman in the lead. Ecklund, slowly but surely
showed signs of catching up. Into the weathermark the fleet was tight with
Kullman around first, then Joe Woods on "Red", Glenn Darden (helm) and Reese
Hillard on "Hoss", then Ecklund. Kullman's team set the kite flawlessly, ditto
for Darden and Woods. Ecklund's team struggled initially on the set but was
quick to turn on the speed. He zipped past Woods and Darden, determined to take
the lead from Kullman. Ecklund blasted down the course. Kullman jibed to the
left while Ecklund stayed right - and it paid off big time. Ecklund rounded
through the leeward gate in first, a few boat lengths ahead of Kullman. Rick
Orchard on "Grins" slid into the second position just barely ahead of Kullman.
Kullman took to weather, whilst both Ecklund and Orchard went left. In the end,
Ecklund clinched the championship with two points to spare, Kullman finished in
second, Woods in third, Orchard was fourth and Geoff Masters on "Melges Asia
Pacific" in fifth.
FULL RESULTS
1.) Jeff Ecklund, STAR; 1, 1, 3, 2, 1, 2, 4, 2, 1, 1 = 18
2.) Marty Kullman/Mike Carroll, New Wave; 3, 2, 1, 1, 3, 1, 1, 4, 2, 2 = 20
3.) Rick Orchard, Grins; 2, 4, 2, 4, 6, 3, 3, 1, 4, 4 = 33
4.) Geoff Masters, Melges Asia Pacific; 6, 3, 7, 3, 2, 8, 2, 5, 5, 5 = 46
5.) Joe Woods, Red; 5, 6, 5, 6, 4, 5, 5, 8, 3, 3 = 50
6.) Glenn Darden/Reese Hillard, Hoss; 4, 5, 6, 7, 5, 6.5, 3, 6, 3 = 54.5
7.) Doug Croker, Canvasback; 7, 7, 4, 10 OCS, 7, 4, 8, 7, 10 DNC, 10 DNC = 74
8.) Walter Kennedy, Savannah; 8, 9, 10 DNS, 5, 8, 6.5, 6, 8, 7 = 74.5
9.) John Cooper, Quick Fix; 9, 8, 10 DNF, 10 OCS, 9, 10 DNC, 10 DNC, 9, 7, 8 =
90
A very special thanks to everyone that has made these reports possible including
the New York Yacht Club who put on a first-class event, title sponsor Rolex and
members of the Rolex Media Center team, especially Dana Paxton. A special thanks
to every competitor that traveled - for some, great distances especially Joe
Woods and crew from the UK, as well as Geoff Masters on "Melges Asia Pacific"
from the land down under - Australia. Without you this would not be possible.
And last but not least, Doug Croker and the "Canvasback" team, who provided on
the water access Saturday giving way to some amazing photos. A gallery will be
posted online at www.melges32.com in the next couple of days.
Next stop for the Melges 32 is WFORC in fabulous Pensacola, Florida! We hope to
see everyone there!
The Melges 32 is taking one design racing to the next level, so stay tuned to
the official web site of the Melges 32 Class Association - www.melges32.com as
daily reports, results and interviews will be posted. Also, visit Melges
Performance Sailboats online at www.melges.com.
Rolex Watch U.S.A. has been the exclusive presenting sponsor of the NYYC events
since 1994. Supporting sponsors of Race Week include Mount Gay Rum and Heineken
USA. For more information, visit www.nyyc.org or contact the New York Yacht Club
Sailing Office, Harbor Court, 5 Halidon Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island 02840;
phone 401-845-9633; fax 401-846-3303; email sailingoffice@nyyc.org
For further information about the Melges 32 Class Association and the 2006
Melges 32 National Championship contact Joy Dunigan, Melges 32 Press Officer on
email at press@melgesperformancesailboats.com, phone 912-398-5776.
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