New York Yacht Club One Design Regatta & Etchells National Championships
TRIPLE WIN FOR NORTH SAILS CLIENTS AT NYYC OD REGATTA
North Sails powers Etchells National Champions, Melges 20, and J/70 Class Winners at the 2017 NYYC One Design Regatta
Last weekend’s New York Yacht Club One Design Regatta was a great event and had perfect sailing conditions for all Etchells, Melges 20, and J/70 competitors. This event was also a part of the Etchells Atlantic Series and scored as the fleet’s 2017 U.S. National Championships, which began on Friday, June 2nd. Eight races were completed in the Etchells, allowing one discard. Twelve Melges 20 teams and 14 J/70 teams competed on June 2nd-3rd, totaling five races, also allowing one discard.
Competing for the National Championship in the Etchells fleet, Steve Benjamin and his crew aboard ‘Stella Blue’ were untouchable with a total of 11 points after a 7th place throw-out, followed by George Francisco and his team on ‘American Baby’ with 28 points. A close battle for 2nd place, Chris Larson was just one point behind Francisco, with his team from Annapolis Yacht Club. North powered teams finished 1,2,3,4,5,6*, and 7th out of 15 boats. Congratulations to 1st place finisher ‘Stella Blue’ for winning the 2017 Etchells National Championships!
The J/70 division saw a great turn out with 14 boats and tight racing, especially in the lead pack. Brian Keane’s ‘Savasana’ took first place, followed by John Brim and his team on ‘Rimette’. Bruno Pasquinelli placed 3rd with team ‘Stampede’. Beautiful racing conditions on both the J/70 and Melges 20 race courses, with excellent sailing from some familiar faces. The Melges 20 fleet was topped by Wes Whitmyer Jr. and his team on ‘Slingshot’ by four points. In second was Drew Freides and his team ‘Pacific Yankee’, who were also the overall winners of the Miami Series this past winter.
The Melges 20 fleet is gearing up for the World Championship, which will be in Newport later in the fall. Some serious competition is expected from boats all over the world which will make for a great event. Congratulations to our clients this weekend on a job well done!
