THE STORM TRYSAIL CLUB
Block Island Race Week Presented by Rolex
2009 Block Island Race Week News W E D N E S D AY • J U N E 2 4 , 2 0 0 9
INSIDE:
Photo by Jeremiah Tamagna-Darr/timwilkes.com
Preliminary Results . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Events Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Cool Breeze, Hot Action The calendar indicates that another solstice has come and gone, but summer (apparently on holiday in Florida) has yet to grace Block Island Sound with its balmy presence. The northeasterly that blew into town Sunday began to wane yesterday, presenting competitors with winds that varied by about ten knots and shifted through about 30 degrees. With lighter winds forecast for the end of the week, the Regatta Committee decided to run three windward-leeward races on Tuesday, confirming that decision via VHF prior to commencing the day’s first sequence. On the White circle, the J/44 One-Design Class announced the sails they’d all be using, opting for ounce-and-a-half kites and #3 jibs. The J/122s, sailing their first-ever North American Championship, were off first, and all ten boats chose the right side of the course for the first windward leg. By the time the 44s were ready for the first start of the day, the left side appeared to be favored and five of the six boats chose that option. The Farr 30s, who are competing in their East Coast Championship, were off next, with most of the five boats opting right.
At the first leeward mark, Pete du Pont’s Spitfire (Rockland, DE) led the 122s, followed by David Askew’s Flying Jenny VI (Annapolis, MD), George Marks’ Georgetown III (Roslyn, NY) and Doug Shaffer’s Gambler (Bayview, TX). Jim Bishop’s Gold Digger (New York, NY) was out front in the 44s, followed closely by Jeff Willis’ Challenge IV (Huntington, NY). Mummbles had a nice lead in the Farr 30s at the first downwind mark. Most of the 122s finished the first race in a tight pack, with Bill Coates’ Otra Vez (Bellaire, TX) crossing the line first. Challenge IV executed a slick jibe just above the line, sneaking past Gold Digger for the win. The wind diminished as the day progressed, as did the chop, much to the delight of the folks on the committee and course boats. The breeze resumed in the afternoon, although the water remained somewhat smoother. The starting sequence for one race on the White circle was briefly delayed as a J/122 sailor went for an unscheduled dip. He was back aboard in an instant, and reported
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