(Detroit, MI)- This year's Sperry Top Sider Detroit NOOD Regatta saw some spirited racing amongst Detroit area boats from the J/105 and J/120 fleets. The conditions were a bit challenging as the fleet was greeted with grey, overcast skies for much of the three days of sailing. Friday and Sunday offered reasonable breezes, but Saturday's racing was punctuated by an extended postponement as the PRO's wisely waited for the breeze to develop on the glassy shores of Lake St Clair.
Winning the J/105 fleet was Mark Symonds racing the tenacious PTERODACTYL to an impressive record that included five straight bullets before succumbing to a bit of brain fade from Saturday night's partying, finishing their last two races with a 3-4 for 12 pts, five points clear of their next competitor. Second was Dean Walsh sailing GOOD LOOKIN' to a 2-2-4-2-4-1-2 for 17 pts. Third was Brian Smith's SORCERY with a 3-3-3-5-3-2-1 tally for 20 pts.
The J/120s generally have very competitive racing with no one boat simply walking off with all the silverware and the dancing girls. This time around, despite winning two races, even Commodore Frank Kern's famous CARINTHIA could only manage a fourth overall. Winning this year was Robert Kirkman's HOT TICKET winning the first three races and scoring a 3-5-3-2 to finish with 16 pts. Second was Henry Mistele's NIGHT MOVES getting a 3-3-3-2-3-4-1 for 19 pts. Just four points back was Don Hudak's CAPER with a scoreline of 4-4-2-1-4-5-3 for 23 pts. Sailing photo credits- Tim Wilkes Photography. For more Sperry Top Sider Detroit NOOD sailing information
