Thrilling Finale @ Verve Cup Offshore Regatta!

J/111 Podium Determined On Last Leg of Last Race!
(Chicago, IL)- It was Chicago’s version of “the Thrilla from Manila!”  Going around and around in the proverbial ring, a jab here, a roundhouse punch there, the top three boats in the J/111 class and the outcome on the podium was not determined until the final minutes of the seventh and final race of the regatta on Sunday!  In short, “who beat who” determined the finish positions, with the trio of Karl Brummel/ Steve Henderson/ Mike Mayer on KASHMIR winning the final race, followed by Brad Faber’s UTAH in 2nd and Rich Witzel’s ROWDY in third place!  Rounding out the top five were Mark & Colin Caliban’s NO QUARTER in 4th and John Kalanik’s NO QUARTER in 5th position.   Here is J/111 KASHMIR- Mike Meyer interview

As for the rest of the competitors in Chicago YC’s 25th annual Verve Cup Offshore Regatta, the racing was close, but not the anxiety-ridden thriller experienced by the J/111 class.

The J/109 class saw the overall Chicago to Mackinac Race winner add more silverware to their trophy room collection!  Winning with three 1sts and three 2nds in the 7 race series was Jim Mitchell & Bruce Danly’s TOA.  Six points back in second place was Peter Priede’s FULL TILT, also winning three races along the way but having to contend with three high-scoring finishes (5-4-6) that hurt their chances for a shot at the top.  Third as David Gustman’s NORTHSTAR, followed by Bob Evans’ GOAT RODEO in 4th (the J/109 Chicago-Mackinac Race winner), and in 5th place was Keith Ecklenberg’s BLACKFIN.

The J/105 class of ten boats also witnessed another “walk-away”, this one in the form of Gyt Petkus’s crew on VYTIS finally getting their “mojo” and collecting three bullets and three deuces on their way to a huge class win.  Second was past winner, Jon Weglarz’s THE ASYLUM, third was Clark Pellet’s SEALARK (another past winner), fourth Mike Sheppard’s FLYING PIG and fifth Robert Amos’ SOUTHBOUND.

The J/88 teams were lumped into the ORR 2 Division of eleven boats.  After eight races on their circle, Andy Graff’s EXILE placed 4th and Tim Wade’s WINDSONG took 5th. Rick Stage’s J/35 ALPHA PUPPY finished just behind the J/88s in 6th position.  For more Verve Cup Offshore sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.