25 keelboats from The J 105, Etchells and International One Design (IOD) classes hit the water Saturday morning with the intent of completing five races on the Great Sound to ultimately crown the Bacardi National Keelboat Champions in the three classes.
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club race officer Jay Hooper and his team were constantly tested (along with the sailors) with winds shifting as much as 80 degrees between south east and south west throughout the day. Sailors experienced all types of wind conditions ranging from 10 knots to the mid twenties. The highest wind conditions were seen during the 4th race in the middle of a 'whiteout' rain squall. A number of boats, slighlty worse for wear, elected to retire before the 5th and final race.
The hottly contested J 105 Class saw five boats on the line with Jon Corless and his crew sailing 'Mayhem' showing the most consistent form with four first place finishes and a second, posting a total of 6 pts. Glenn Astwood sailing 'Ockham's Razor' and James Macdonald's 'Passion' battled it out for second place with Glenn prevailing with 13 pts.
The Etchells Class had an impressive turn out with 10 boats competing including overseas teams from the USA, UK and Canada joining the locals in borrowed boats.
Veteran Etchells sailor and former National Champion and current Canadian Champion Tim Patton and his crew were eventually victorious with 14 pts., just a single point ahead of the teenage up-and-comers Lance Fraser and crew. Lance and his crew of Catalina Sposato, Jason Saints and Jordan Saints, all graduates of the island's Optimist sailing programme, have shown remarkable versatility and success across many classes of keel boats and dinghies in Bermuda and overseas. One point behind in third place was Will Thompson and his crew aboard Fram.
The IOD's had 10 boats on the course. Former multiple World and National IOD Champion Eugene 'Penny' Simmons sailing 'Ariel' had 1 fifth place finish and 4 first place finishes to clinch the championship in the final race with 9 pts. Patrick Cooper and crew sailed 'Solna II' consistently and was one point behind in second. This regatta is designed not to allow 'drop' races so consistency was the key to success. Craig Davis and crew finished 3rd sailing 'Vrengen' on 14 pts.
A very wet, cold and tired group of sailors arrived back at the host Royal Bermuda Yacht Club for some well deserved liquid refreshment thanks to Bacardi and a BBQ courtesy of the Bermuda Sailing Association. Winners were presented with product and logo gear from Bacardi and specially engraved clocks to mark the accomplishment by Bacardi's Craig Smith and BSA President Somers Cooper.
Sailing
