(Larchmont, NY)- Over the past weekend, Larchmont YC hosted twenty-seven
teams from across the country sailing a highly competitive fleet over
an eleven race series. The sailors were not at all prepared to either
be "schooled" or trounced by a bunch of guys from Texas. Nevertheless,
they were treated to a spectacle of great racing by one of the class's
premiere ambassadors, Glenn Darden and Reese Hillard from Fort Worth
Boat Club. The LE TIGRE Team put on a clinic for how one should get it
done over the three day event. After five 1sts and three 2nds in the
first nine races, Glenn and Reese stepped off the gas pedal and gave the
fleet a breather, winning the regatta by 11 points.
Sailing
just off the pace was a trio of three boats caught up in a real
dog-fight for second to fourth overall. Not until the last few races
did the smoke start to clear and the standings get jumbled yet again.
The contenders at this point were the teams of Kerry Klingler on USA
352, Bruno Pasquinelli on TIAMO and Les Beckwith on FKA. By winning the
last two races and getting five 2nds, Les Beckwith on FKA secured
second on a tie-breaker with Kerry Klingler's team. Getting the short
end of that stick on the last day was Bruno's TIAMO gang, having to
settle for a fourth. In fifth was Kristen Robinson's team on ANGRY
CHAMELEON, clearly having elevated their game quite significantly,
getting five top 5 finishes and finishing just out of the top three. Go
Kristen! Sailing photo credits- Howie McMichael For more J/80 North American Championship sailing information