The high-pressure system holding over the Northeastern United States created a second straight day of gorgeous weather and spectacular race conditions for the Larchmont NOOD. Southwesterly breezes oscilated across the two race circles off of Larchmont N.Y. with wind velocity from 9 to- 14 knots but the 40 degree shifts made for tactically challenging racing. With the splendid race conditions both circles got off 3 races for the 14 one-design classes competing.
The Frers 33, Express 37s and J/44 classes started racing today on the white circle after many of the one-design classes holding championships at the event began competition on Friday. In the Frers 33 class Greg Ames Windswept recorded 3 straight wins and Al Minellas Walrus won two races in the Express 37 class. Jeffrey Willis J/44 Challenge IV from Huntington, N.Y. jumped to the top of the J/44 class standings with 2,2,1 finishes to lead Scott Dinhofers Brown Eyed Girl by 1 point going into the final day of racing.
In the fleets competing for championships, Richard Jones from Mathews, N.C. made things interesting in the Soverel 33 class by winning two races and pulling into second place behind Erik Wills Bushwhacker who maintains a 4 point lead going into tomorrows racing for the Soverel 33 National Championship. The J/80 fleet which is holding its East Coast championships saw a scrum for second place behind Michael Lagues Flash which maintains a 6 point lead over 3 boats separated by only 1 point for second place. Currently in second, Rich Lyalls Storm said, We got hung out to dry in the 3rd race when it got flukey on the left side but we managed to claw back and pick off three boats to grab a second because of a huge shift right at the finish, it should be an interesting day tomorrow. In the J/27 classs run for their North American Championship, Peter Johnson on Piglet, had another strong day with 2,2,1 finishes to hold a commanding 8 point lead and in the Henderson 30 class Michael Carroll pulled into the lead for the North American title with 1,2,1 finishes to hold a slim 1 point lead over yesterdays leader Tony Da Lia on Zero Gravity. J/92 class leader John Raymont on Quixote maintained a firm grip on the class North American title with a strong 2,2,1 showing.
The Larchmont NOODs spectacular race conditions are expected to hold through tomorrows finale when the regatta, presented by Farmers Insurance and Mount Gay Rum, crowns winners among the 130 boats competing.
