J/105 POWER PLAY Wins Tie-breaker
(New Bedford, MA- Aug 7-9)- As usual the Buzzards Bay Regatta was hosted by a great BBR Committee that did an admiral job of hosting a cast of thousands for their annual first week of August event. This year's host New Bedford YC laid out the red carpet for the fleet and most everyone went home with a smile on their face if not having gained a few more pounds from all the good food and drink.There was a large turnout of J's for this event and has become a fixture for many J owners as one of the last regattas of the summer sailing season in New England waters. This year's classes included the J/24, the J/80 and the J/105. Numerous other J's competed in the PHRF handicap classes.
The J/105s had a very closely fought event between this years primary summer regatta competitors, Brian Keane racing his renowned SAVASANA and Bruce Stone sailing POWER PLAY (pic above). Much like Block Island Race Week, the regatta between these two keen competitors came down to the last race,
whomever beat whom would win the regatta. In this case Bruce won the last race and Brian Keane dropped a valuable third place to finish tied on points but lost on who had most first places! This was the wiley old fox Charlie Shumway racing his classic looking J/105 SEA SHADOW.The J/80s were dominated by Kerry Klingler sailing LIFTED into first place with a fourteen point lead over Chip Johns CAVATICA. Chip just beat out Steve Kirkpatrick racing STIMULUS PACKAGE.
The J/24s were won by Craig Correia by four points over Bonnie Kirchner and Sanford Tyler ended up just one point behind Bonnie...again the last race determining whom beat whom to get the top three podium finishes.
The J/109 GUT FEELING raced by Ted Herlihy won IRC1 Class by four points; dominating their class of five IRC racing boats. For more info. Photo Credits- Spectrum Photo.
