Marblehead NOOD1
Early morning heat and summer humidity left little hope for a windy start to the Marblehead NOOD, July 22-25, but winds arrived with increasing intensity and both circles sailed three races each. Temperatures that reached into the 90s on land were immediately forgotten once out of the harbor–white chops and big breeze offered significantly different scenery on the course. Steady 5-10 knot morning winds and big fleets made for crowded laylines and exciting mark roundings, while the growing 10-15 knot seabreeze silenced any notions of an easy opening day.
On the outside line, Etchells and IODs sailed in a building southeasterly that at times approached 20-knots. At the start of the final races, both classes experienced blustery winds, heavy chop, and bright sunshine. The early morning haze burnt off and conditions made for ideal racing. Wade Edward’s Riva took an early lead winning all three races, followed by Buddy Cribb Jr from Palm Beach, FL, with 8 points and Marblehead native Hugh Greville in third with 14. The 14-boat class numbers are down from last year; however, with the Etchells Worlds in Connecticut last summer, many were not expecting such a big return for this years event.
In the International One Designs, Bruce Dyson and Gypsy lead after day one, staying consistent with 3, 2, and 3 finishes. In second place, only two points behind, is Danielle Ames on Eden. Marblehead lays claim to one of the largest IOD fleets in the country and the numbers at the 2004 NOOD certainly validate the success of the traditional design.
Sailing closer to shore, the Halfway Rock line started three classes: the Rhodes 19, Day Sailor, and Town Class. They too sailed in a building seabreeze, getting three races off in most classes. In the thirty-boat Rhode’s 19 class, William Heffernan’s Sweep sailed to a narrow first day lead after winning the second race and finishing with 11 points on the day. The results get crowded from there with just 4 points separating the next five spots. Two points behind, and with a 1st to their credit, lies Doug Trees/McAdoo’s Swingroom, followed by Jabberwock, Woodstock, Pastische, and You Sexy Thing.
The five boat Daysailor class is currently controlled by Bob Lemaire and Runaway, winning all three races. Arthur O’Neill’s Frolic and James Cooke’s Elusive are tied atop the six-boat Town class, the oldest design at the Marblehead NOOD.
Several more classes make their debut on Friday, when the J/105, Melges 24, Corinthian, Viper 640, J/80, J/24, Sonar, and Colgate 26 join the fray. Similar conditions are expected for tomorrow, day 2 of the 2004 Marblehead NOOD.
Results after Day 1 are posted separately.
