NYYC1designDay2
Though the forecast was for a cold front to move in with showers, the weather turned out to be moderately breezy without rain for the second day of the New York YC Race Week at Newport. After getting all the kinks worked out yesterday, the four North American and one National Championships being held at this year’s regatta were back at it again today and the racing is still very close in all the classes.The 20-boat J/105 class, who were racing in their first day of their championship, saw Tom Coates’ Masquerade emerged as the early leader, though only seven point separates fourth place from first. According to Coates, the key to winning today was making sure you were not over early.”We went in early to find a slot close to the line 50 yards off, but we had to be very careful because the 2nd and 3rd races were black-flagged. Down at the committee end it’s difficult to see the pin with the crowd of boats, so we hung back and played conservatively and it worked out.”Masquerade was usually rounding the weather mark in first, which Coates attributed to his tactician, Chris Perkins, and his crew.”All day my strategy was to never doubt Chris. The races were won and lost on the first beat, and when you round the mark in first, all you have to focus on downwind is extending. The crew work was flawless all day, and Chris called every shift. Even if these results don’t hold up the rest of the week, we will be pleased with how we are sailing.”The Beneteau 36.7 saw some shake-ups in the results today. Yesterday’s leader, Grizzly, fell off pace with a deep 15th-place finish, while Coconut recorded three bullets today to grab the top spot. Seaweed is four points behind in second.OCS’s were a big problem for the J/109 fleet today, as the current was pushing boats over the line in today’s first race. Several boats that were near the top of the results yesterday were over early and did not exonerate themselves, including yesterday’s leader, Mojo. Currently leading the class is Gut Feeling, followed closely by Vitesse, who both jumped up a spot today.For full results from today’s action, visit http://nyyc.org/index.cfm?menu=12&openitem=12
