Newport Regatta July 12-13

[Fletcher]

Olaf has a boat that isn't being used

[Barry Canton]

I am one bowsprit short of a functional Viper for tomorrow. Anyone have a spare?

[Kay VanValkenburgh]

Zach hooked us up --see you on the starting line!

[Ed "Buttons" Padin, Class Administrator]

Bacardi Newport Sailing Week sponsored by EFG Bank is off and running. After a short postponement this morning, the RC got off the first race at about 1130. The winds were, as predicted, onshore blowing anywhere from eight to fifteen knots in gusts. The windward mark was set at a mile and just shy of the Pell Bridge. For the first race and a half, the current was ripping out towards RI Sound and those boats that stayed outside made out. At about 1300 the tide changed and the game changed from outside to inside.

It became a parade of Vipers following Phil Lotz around the course. Five races (a long day for the spinnaker trimmers) and, at times, very disturbed sea conditions with all the traffic running up and down the course.
In the end, it was Phil and Wendy Lotz and Luke "schooling" the fleet leading at (I believe) every mark for every race. They were fast, hit the shifts, and powered to the favored side of the course after winning many of the starts.

Tomorrow the forecast is for heavier winds so it may be "last year's sails."
BTW, there were others on the race course other than the Lotz crew. Tyler Moore and Dave Nickerson are two points apart in second and third. Tom Loutrel and Jeff Slocum in four and five – two points apart – with Peter Bauer's Wild Hogs in sixth. Tomorrow will probably another three or four races to conclude another qualifying leg of the EFT Pan American Championship. Thanks to Keith Gapp and Eddie from Bacardi for all their support and hospitality.

Today's results: http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=1087

Stay tuned for tomorrow's update.

Buttons

[Ed "Buttons" Padin, Class Administrator]

Congratulations to Phil and Wendy Lotz and Luke Lawrence for winning the 2014 Bacardi Newport Regatta. 2014 Bacardi Newport Regatta sponsored by EFG Bank concluded today with two more races sailed in Potters Bay north of the Pell Bridge. As promised, the winds were "a bit brisk" blowing steadily in the mid-to-high teens fulfilling my prophesy that today's racing would call for "last year's sails." Again the sea breeze was working against the ebbing current making for some very confused seas. Add to that the power boats (large, small, and everything in between), that added to the wave motions.

Two races were sailed and in both the upwind current play was to hit the left side of the course and ride the current towards the windward mark. Downwind, the smart money jibed into the left shore (looking downwind) to escape the foul current making a minimum of jibes to stay in the pressure. Phil Lotz again led throughout the first race followed by Tyler Moore, Jane Moore, and Barry Allardice in #181. In a solid third position were Dave Nickerson and Moise Solomon. That would be Phil's sixth bullet making – looks as though the combination of excellent local knowledge, solid boat handling, superior boat speed, and winning starts can make a difference.
In the second race of the day, a five-leg course finishing just below the bridge, was one for the record books. Those less experienced crews found that handling the spinnaker in puffs in excess of 20 knots could be a real challenge. One boat lost it all, capsized, and turned turtle before she could be righted. Luckily Dan Tucker from Rondar Raceboats was on the scene in his Rhib and helped with the situation. There were other issues, however, as boat speeds increased in a tightly packed fleet. At the first windward mark of the final race, Arethusa was on port tack to windward of another boat—both had to duck a Jonathan Nye on the starboard tack layline. Suddenly another puff hit and Phil's boat tagged the port quarter of Jonathan's boat. As appropriate when damage occurs, Phil dropped out of the race but, as noted, had already secured his victory which was matched by good sportsmanship in handling the collision.
After the winner with only six points, the scoring was really tight. Only two pints separated second and third, and the next half dozen places were all only a few points apart so it was (almost) anyone's regatta.

The full results are found at http://yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=1087--but one aside needs to be mentioned to flavor the day. At one point sailing downwind in the first run of the final race blast upon blast kept the boats planning (mostly under control). I was sitting in my normal position trimming the chute on Wild Hogs with Peter Bauer driving. We were both in the hiking straps with our butts well over the side with the mother of all puffs hit us. The boat took such a forward lurch with acceleration that it almost knocked us both out of the boat. We chuckled and sailed on with Cheshire Cat grins on our faces. Those who were at Bacardi Miami this year remember the final race sailing in near-thirty knot winds. That one blast matched those conditions. What a ride.

Thanks to Kim Cooper event manager of the regatta from Sail Newport, all the Sail Newport volunteers and staff, Keith Gapp and EFG Bank for his continued support, Eddie Cutillas from Bacardi, and Gabreilla and Sara from Studio Milano for making the regatta spectacular. Oh, yes, we also thank Robin Wallace (SN PRO), and the wind gods.
Speaking of the PRO, the RC did a great job with their race management and today, after two general recalls starting the first race, the RC pulled out the black flag. No more problems...shall we say.

One final word about Eddit Cutillas. On Friday morning, after having met Eddit at the EFG dinner at Castle Hill, I was at IRYS (International Yacht Restoration School) for an update on the reconstruction of the 100+ foot Coronet. As I arrived at the loft where this amazing yacht is being rebuilt from scratch, Eddie walked around the corner...looking for the same update on Coronet. The perusing conversation demonstrated that Bacardi, as is EFG, is committed to helping the Viper Class grow. Great news from a couple of great sponsors.

Now it's time for everyone to register for the Marblehead NOOD regatta in just a few weeks. It will be the New England Viper Champs and another qualifier for the 2014 Pan American Championship. Hope to see you all there.

Congratulations to all the competitors of this weekend's Bacardi Newport Regatta sponsored by EFG.

We'll have some photos shortly from Dan Tucker.