For provisional results after Day 2, click here
When southerly winds finally filled this afternoon at the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta in Annapolis, racing got underway and most classes completed one race. The light-winds and strong current, however, made it extremely challenging, even for the most experienced local teams that are accustomed to such conditions. Still, local knowledge contributed to individual wins, including that of skipper John White, whose team won the only race of the day in the J/80 class. White’s hard-fought win earned him North Sails Local Boat of the Day honors, awarded to the top performing local sailor of the day.
“Off the starting line we were confident the east side of the course would be best, for stronger winds and better current,” said White, who’s team is preparing for the J/80 World Championship in Annapolis later this year. “We had a great start and won our side, but Will Crump [the current J/80 class leader), who was over early and had to restart, worked the opposite side and was right behind us at the first mark. Those guys are so good, and so fast, but they made one little mistake on the last leg to allow us to win this one.”
The J/70 class, the regatta’s largest with 54 entries, saw a second consecutive day of highly competitive racing, and after two general recalls, the sailors finally started in extremely challenging conditions that required boatspeed and patience. Brian Keene’s Savasana, from Weston, Mass., is one the J/70 class’s top programs, and their experience showed early in the race as they built a lead that no other team came close to challenging. Keene’s win puts them solidly in the series lead going into the final day of racing tomorrow.
Other area skippers leading their classes include J.R. Maxwell, of Arlington, Va., in the J/22 class, with all top-five finishes after five races. Pat Fitzgerald’s Rush Hour, from Annapolis, tops the J/24 class. Lanny Helms’ Alberg 30 Windswept tops its class, Timothy Bloomfield’s White Cap the Cal 25s, Bob Rutsch and Mike Costello’s Bebop in the J/30, Jose Fuentes in the Etchells class, Stephanie Reuer’s Dakota Girl in the J/35s, Bill Sweetster’s Rush in the J/109, and Kevin McNeil’s Seabiscut in the Farr 30.
The overall winner, determined as the most competitive class at the regatta, earns an invitation to the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta Championship in October in the British Virgin Islands. That winner will be announced tomorrow.
North Sails Local Sailor of the Day
