New England Patriot's Coach Belichick Donates Boat!

(Newport, RI)- Sail Newport and its fleet of J/22s got welcome support from the National Football League’s New England Patriots’ Coach Bill Belichick (the American Football Conference representative in the 51st Super Bowl in Houston, Texas).

Bill donated his powerboat to Sail Newport, the Rhode Island community sailing center.  The non-profit public Sailing Center, located in Newport RI, will use the 24' Grady White vessel “V-RINGS” (get it, 5 Superbowl rings?) in its youth and adult sailing programs, regattas and sailing events on Narragansett Bay.

"We are thrilled and grateful to Coach Belichick for donating his boat for use in our public sailing programs.  The boat will be used as a support and safety vessel for all of our instructional programs and regattas, including J/Fest in August (a regatta for J/Boats owners) and the May 2018 North American Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race,” said Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport.

The boat donation was facilitated by Albury Brothers Boats and will be delivered mid-February to Sail Newport.  According to Albury Brothers President, Jeff Lichterman, he and Coach Belichick have done some boating together.  More importantly, Belichik has done some sailing, grew up in Annapolis, and boated on the Chesapeake Bay.  Plus, Belichick had an opportunity to sail on former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chaffee’s J/100 on Narragansett Bay!

Sail Newport is a non-profit educational organization with a mission to foster the sport of sailing and to attract and manage sailing events in Newport, RI.  In its 34th year of operation, Sail Newport is a thriving organization with thousands of regatta entrants, adult students, youth sailors, and sailboat renters visiting its facility in Fort Adams State Park in Newport Harbor.

The organization also offers their nationally-recognized Youth Sailing Program for young sailors starting at age 5. Sail Newport also hosts many local, national and world championships each year.

Currently, Sail Newport is running the “Campaign for Blue Space” to raise funds for a new Marine Education and Recreational Facility and expand its educational programs.   The new center is anticipated to open in July of this year at Sail Newport's campus in Fort Adams State Park.  For more information, please contact Kim Cooper at (401) 846-1983/ kim.cooper@sailnewport.org    For more Sail Newport information.

Smart Sailing = Successful Mental State!

(Newport, RI)- Mental state has a lot to do with performance. Races can have unexpected twists that result in situations you weren’t expecting, and maintaining a positive mind state can be tough when your days on the water are long. North Sails Expert Mike Marshall, 2016 J/22 World Champion and nominee for the 2016 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award, shares advice on maintaining a successful mental state:

“Getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and staying organized are all key components to a fun, successful regatta. When tensions are high and competition is tough, you have to remember the big picture – for every race start there is a finish, and getting stuck on the details can affect the entire team.

Here’s a list on how to maintain intensity while keeping the mood light:

1. Move on when something goes wrong.
No matter how good the sailors are, things sometimes go wrong during a race. When they do, it’s important to manage the situation so that you can move on smoothly. What’s gone wrong is over and is in the past. Yelling about it or harping on it will only do more harm. These behaviors are distractions that will interfere with mounting a comeback. That’s why one key to maintaining intensity on the racecourse is to keep your focus forward, not backward.

2. Take a break between races.
You can’t maintain the intensity needed during a race for an entire day of sailing. It’s therefore important to take a break from high intensity after a race ends. If there’s nothing pressing that needs to be fixed, it’s good practice to stop and refresh. Eat some food; drink some water; recharge. This will put you in much better shape to gear up your intensity as the next race begins.

3. Focus on the positive.
Even when some things have gone wrong on your boat, there are also things that have gone right. Focusing on the positive things, while still acknowledging the negatives, can boost a team’s morale and help maintain focus. People in general tend to give up and not perform at their peak when their outlook is largely negative. This is why it’s important to keep a positive outlook overall.

4. Don’t worry about things that are out of your control.
Whether it’s traffic getting to the venue or an issue with the crane in the boat park, your team can’t stay positive if they fret about problems they have no control over. Lamenting the lost time that you could be practicing or prepping the boat only leads to frustration. And frustration is counterproductive when it comes to achieving the focus and intensity needed for top performance.

5. Limit stress through preparation and sticking to a routine.
Stress is the number one culprit causing you to get frustrated, become negative, and make bad decisions. Through good preparation, you can eliminate a great many of the things that cause stress. Have a well-thought-out routine and stick to it. This routine will help you avoid having to make decisions on the fly. The more you refine your routine and prepare your boat and team in advance, the more ready you’ll be for anything that comes your way. This, in turn, will help eliminate distractions that can reduce your focus and intensity on the racecourse.”  Thanks for contribution from NORTH SAILS ONE-DESIGN/ Craig Leweck at Scuttlebutt.

Quantum J/70 Winter Series III Preview

(Tampa, FL)- With fifty-seven entries for the final regatta in the 2016/ 2017 Quantum J/70 Winter Series, sailing from February 4th to 5th, the stage is now set for the ultimate battle for sailing supremacy in this prestigious event that features top Corinthian teams and multiple National, North American and World Champions.  Starting in December, over 45 boats started the first regatta and as winter set in up north, more and more J/70s decided to migrate south on their own, dragging their owners south (hanging on by frostbit fingers), into the warm and welcoming arms of the “sailingest club in the south”- the Davis Island Yacht Club.  It is a fun program they put on all winter long and the series has gained its adherents over time.

How it will all end up for the top teams at this event as well as the overall series is anyone’s guess.  Certainly, the Ladbroke’s Betting Parlours in London and their counterparts in Las Vegas, Nevada are betting that Martie Kullmann and Thom Bowen’s crew on REACH AROUND are the prime suspects to take the series lead. But, then again, stranger things have happened in the J/70 class when odds-on favorites seemingly take a “dumpster dive”, never to be seen again!

Chasing them hard are several tenacious crews, some sailing for the first time this winter, others banking on experience in both Tampa and Key West to bolster their chances.  The last time around Bruno Pasquinelli’s STAMPEDE walked off with honors in QJWS II, but they will be hard pressed to hold off teams like Kerry Klingler’s MENACE, John Brim’s RIMETTE, Tony Rey’s POWERPLAY, Darby Smith’s AFRICA, Allan Terhune’s DAZZLER, Will Welles’ SCAMP and John Wilsey’s SEA BAGS SAILING TEAM.

In the Corinthians class, it is a wide-open affair.  Andrew Fisher’s BUTTON FLY will be up against Bryan Cameron’s B-SQUARED, Ed Austin’s CHINOOK, Henry Brauer’s RASCAL, and Rob Britts’ HOT MESS (Key West Corinthian Champion).  However, again, the Corinthians class has many new faces for this event, so the betting is off for the top three!   For more Quantum J/70 Winter Series sailing information.

J/World Midwinter Clinics Announcement

(San Diego, CA)- The J/World Performance Sailing School is offering two most excellent training programs for a nice midwinter break; one in conjunction with the Southern California Midwinters Regatta and the other in conjunction with the Banderas Bay Regatta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!  Here is more information on these two fabulous programs for getting yourself back "in tune" to sail fast and smart!

Midwinters Clinic and Regatta
San Diego, February 8-12
One of our most popular clinic+regatta combos, the Midwinters in San Diego presents the perfect opportunity for a training session in the mild winter climate of Southern California accompanied by an all-star team of J/World coaches. Three days in an abridged version of our renowned racing weeks followed by two days racing in a real regatta with a J/World coach aboard.  We send you home happy, AND faster, higher, smarter...

Southern California Yachting Association Midwinters is one of the largest multi-class sailing events in North America. The Regatta is supported by 27 SCYA member yacht clubs that participate throughout Southern California and stretching into Arizona. This is the perfect way to dust off the winter rust and hone your skills, in order to prepare your boat and crew for the next season. Come enjoy the beautiful year-round conditions in San Diego, and leave faster than your competition.

J/World, the Performance Sailing School, will be offering sailors the opportunity to come play (and learn) during this special event.  At our J/World San Diego facility, we will be hosting a three day racing clinic prior to the regatta, which will include boathandling, sail handling, strategy, tactics, rules, etc. etc…  all the elements which will contribute to a successful regatta.  Please refer to our Racing Courses (Intro and Advanced) pages for details on the topics that will be covered.

Then it is test time…  and we have the ultimate test:  a real regatta!  Each of our J/80s will have teams of three students plus one coach per boat.  Everyone aboard will rotate through all the positions while getting the positive insights of one of our renowned J/World instructors.

The cost is $1,495 per person (plus 10% Port Taxes; full pricing policies here).  Availability is limited, so be sure to reserve your space early ($400 deposit).  Call 800-910-1101

Banderas Bay Clinic and Regatta
Puerto Vallarta, February 26-March 4
Every winter J/World hosts a truly special racing event out of our Puerto Vallarta office.  We begin with a three-day racing clinic aboard our fleet of J/80s.  Sail trim, boat handling, starting, tactics, rules...  you name it, and we cover it! Wednesday is a lay day, then Thursday-Sunday we race in the ever fun Banderas Bay Regatta. This year J/World will be running four J/80s in the event, and we have only two spaces left! Looking for a tropical getaway and a great time sailing?  Done.

The Banderas Bay Regatta is a special event held every March at our Puerto Vallarta Sailing Center.  Participants range from flat-out racers, to cruising vessels that have sailed the seas to enjoy the wonders of Banderas Bay.  The regatta represents the culmination of the month-long “Festival Nautico” in Puerto Vallarta, and has become a favorite of locals and visitors.

J/World, the Performance Sailing School, will be offering sailors the opportunity to come play (and learn) during this special event.  We will be hosting a three day racing clinic prior to the regatta, which will include boathandling, sail handling, strategy, tactics, rules, etc. etc…  all the elements which will contribute to a successful regatta.  Please refer to our Racing Courses (Intro and Advanced) pages for details on the topics that will be covered.

Then it is test time…  and we have the ultimate test:  a real regatta!  The event is a perfect blend of positive attitudes, friendly competition, and ideal weather.  Participation in the event of course includes participation in all the land-based activities that the Vallarta Yacht Club has planned.

Each of our J/80s will have teams of three students plus one coach per boat.  Everyone aboard will rotate through all the positions while getting the positive insights of one of our renowned J World instructors. The host facility, the Paradise Village Resort, also offers great room rates for regatta participants, so bring the friend and family along for a fun vacation.

This year, J/World is inviting all boat owners/teams to attend our pre-regatta clinic.  Classroom sessions will cover sail trim, boat-handling, strategy, tactics, and rules.  On the water, coaches will conduct practice races and provide feedback on a wide range of topics.

The cost is $1,595 per person (plus tax; full pricing policies here).  Reserve your space early ($400 deposit), as this event always sells out!  Call 800-910-1101

American Veterans Wish for a J/105 sailboat!

(Long Island, NY)- Kilian Duclay from SailAhead, a nonprofit in Long Island, is hoping to get more veterans suffering from PTSD and/or depression into sailing as a form of therapy.  Here is Kilian’s appeal to J/105 sailors/owners:

“In the winter of 2013 I started, with my younger brother Sean, the nonprofit called SailAhead. I was 16 years old at the time. This year I will be 20, and this is how 2016 was such a moving year for me.

Before I begin, let me tell you a bit more about SailAhead. First off, what do we do really? We introduce the therapeutic powers sailing has to offer whether it is cruising calmly and happily, or racing like intense maniacs in short or long distance races. So yea, SailAhead has been basically consuming all of my free time. Don’t get the wrong idea, we don’t just put wounded veterans on our boats and take them for a joy ride, we actually teach them how to navigate and sail with the goal that they teach other fellow veterans.

Being a civilian that I am, I can only connect so much with veterans when we sail. Our goal is to teach veterans to sail sufficiently so they can in turn, teach other fellow veterans to sail. Of course, because of the veteran-to-veteran contact instead of civilian-to-veteran contact, the bond they create will be infinitely more profound than if it was just me, because they can relate more with each other’s struggles and experiences. The bond veterans create through sailing is a large factor that contributes to the therapy we try to provide.

Aside from PTSD awareness and networking events we organize with our partners, SailAhead has five core teams/programs that work in conjunction and are designed to get veterans of different interests, needs, and abilities, involved on the water. So, after countless hours behind the computer, on the phone or on the water, I am proud to say that we are responsible for taking 1,000 veterans to the water in just 3 years! If you are interested in what we do more specifically then I invite you to visit our website at www.sailahead.org for more info on our programs and events.

Finally, I will tell you why 2016 was such an immensely moving year for SailAhead and myself. Upon reading the rest of this article, I wish you feel just as motivated as I did after realizing my new reality. It shook me, it motivated me, and I am pushing myself forward in positive ways for the sake of our veterans and humanity.

So, like I said, 2016 was a very moving year for SailAhead because 219 new members, identified as our mates, have joined our ranks. These 219 mates have at least two things in common. One, they were once soldiers, and two; they each took their own lives.

According to the VA, at least 22 veterans commit suicide daily in the United States. The “22 a day” reality is what inspired Sean and I to create SailAhead, so with the permission of the families of these 219 veterans, we had the nametags of these veterans duplicated. These name tags come along with us when we sail with PTSD suffering veterans and we are honored to carry the spirits of our 219 mates every time we set sail. Because of the nametags, I designed a “219” flag which has become our banner. When this flag is up, you know our mates are on board sailing with us.

At least 22 a day means 220 veterans every ten days, which is the size of a USMC size company lost. So why 219 as opposed to 220? This is because the one missing in that equation is the life saved. The lives SailAhead are trying to save. The flagship of our fleet flies a white flag with the number 219 in black in the center. In addition to the 219 mates that it represents, the number 2 on the flag symbolizes how SailAhead was started by two brothers, and the 19 represents the age of Michael Blanco, a Long Island local US marine who was only 19 when he took his life on Monday, February 15th, 2010. The black of the numbers and white of the flag symbolize the fight SailAhead is in, like in a storm at sea, when the water is turned white by the frothy swells as they rise and crash, and the sky’s turned black by the ominous menacing clouds overhead, trying their best to sink and derail those who sail beneath them. But we don’t sink. And we continue to sail, sail ahead…

The camaraderie and intensity that racing and sailing has to offer is why in 2017, SailAhead appointed a Green Beret Special Forces Veteran in charge of the SailAhead (offshore) racing team, and is why we are currently looking for our own race boat. If you know anyone looking to sell or possibly donating a J/105 racer/cruiser (or any boat like a J/105), please send them our way or contact us! You can contact us through our website. Thank you for reading!”  Learn more about SailAhead here

Classic J/44 Loving Gulf Stream Series!

(Miami, FL)- Chris & Karen Lewis, proud owners of the J/44 KENAI from Houston, Texas, are having fun sailing their gorgeous navy-blue yacht on the Gulf of Mexico, in the Northeast and the Gulf Stream Series.  Chris commented on their recent experiences this past year:

“In 2016, the J/44 KENAI won 1st in IRC class and the Rolex Cup in the Around Conanicut Island Race, 1st in the NYYC Annual Regatta IRC 3 Class, 3rd in NBR ORR class, 2nd in the Onion Patch series to High Noon, first in IRC Overall in the Stamford Vineyard Race winning the Vineyard Lightship Trophy,  then 1st in the SORC Nassau Cup and now 1st in the Key West Feeder Race in ORC. Pretty good for a 25 yr old J/44!! Only slightly modified with a 1.5m sprit, all A-kites and a deeper, skinnier rudder.”

Competing in their second SORC event, the 2017 Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, the Lewis' J/44 KENAI took first place in ORC and won the best performance award of any boat entered that was 25+ years old.   Crewed by a mix of Texas and East Coast sailors, KENAI completed the 161 nm course in 16 hours 56 minutes and corrected 27 minutes ahead of the second placed boat.  Here is more of Chris’ perspective on the Key West Race:

“The opposite watch captain to me on board was Lenny Sitar, owner of J/44 VAMP, and Commodore of Storm Try-Sail Club who are organizing Quantum Key West Race Week.  With another J-44 owner, H.L. DeVore navigating, there was a huge breadth of J/44 experience onboard.

The winds were 20 to 30 knots out of the east making for a course record run of 10 hours 18 minutes for Wizard, a 74 ft mini-maxi.

KENAI saw speeds of 17 knots, and at one point, before our Code Zero sail split in two during a gust, we were catching 56 and 57-foot boats ahead of us.

Running down the reef that was a lee shore, it looked like everything was fine until we were hit by a 30-knot squall in front of the beam with the A4 spinnaker up. Suddenly, we were charging at the reef at night with a big kite to dowse!!  Thankfully, we survived that drama to tell the story!"

KENAI is now leading the SORC Islands In The Stream series that concludes in March with a race from Miami to Havana.

PRIMO CUP XXXIII Preview

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- As part of its proactive sailing policy and bringing life to the harbour, the Yacht Club de Monaco is expecting an armada of one-design elite sailors for the 33rd Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse, from the 2nd to 5th of February. With 800+ sailors from 15 countries expected, the event brings together top European teams and enthusiastic amateurs. A spectacle on the water and après-racing ambiance ashore are guaranteed.

Always ready to innovate and improve, the 33rd Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse sees a major change in format, as it will run over one single weekend for the first time since its launch in 1985. Three courses will be set in the bay of Monaco, another first for the Primo to give each class more space and opening up the choice of tactical possibilities compared to previous years where up to six classes were sometimes rounding the marks at a time.

The J/70s, who have established their winter base in the Principality since October 2016, have many participants from Northern and Eastern Europe in their 40-plus fleet; by far the largest class in the regatta. They will be battling it out for precious points at this Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse, a key stage for the J/70 in the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series before the final weekend in early March.  Nine nations are competing from across the continent; including Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, and Sweden.

Hoping to defend their series leading position will be the Russian crew of ARTTUBE, led by top Russian woman sailor Valeriya Kovalenko (photo at right).  Chasing them hard are a rogues gallery of competitors, such as Stephan Molle’s GRUN SOFTWARE AG and Karsten Witte’s J-WD from Germany; Thomas Mellano’s PAPREC LE HAVRE NAUTIC from France; Massimo Rama’s JENIALE EUROSYSTEM and Petr Nosov’s JESSIE TANTA from Italy; Krempec Krzysztof’s EWA from Poland; Jean Luc Leveque’s WATCH from Switzerland; and Anders Rosenberg’s DYNAMANT RACING from Sweden.

Defending the home turf for YC Monaco are Stefano Roberti’s PICCININNA, Fabrice Papazian’s JOKER, Pierrik Devic’s PAGET and Herve Maiano’s SOPWITH CAMEL.

Another special feature of the Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse is that all crew members in the first three boats in each class receive clothing from SLAM’s Advanced Technology Sportswear!  For more J/70 Primo Cup/ Winter Series sailing information

Italian J/24 Winter Series Report

(Anzio & Nettuno, Italy)- After celebrating the New Year, the Italian J/24 sailors are back at it again sailing around the various picturesque bays punctuating the gorgeous coastline of the Italian peninsula.  Races took place recently in Anzio & Nettuno (near Rome), Portoferraio (northeast bay on Isla Elbe) and in Taranto (down south inside the “heel”).

Anzio & Nettuno- Trofeo Roberto Lozzi
After the fifth weekend of sailing, the crew of the Hungarian J/24 JUKE BOXING (Miklòs Rauschenberger, Balmaz Litkey, Tamas Peter, Akos Pecsvaradi, & Tamas Richter) drove fast and sailed smart to be leading the famous Trofeo Roberto Lozzi.

The fleet was treated to good racing despite it being a cod winter day.  There was a residual storm swell from the west of around 4-5 ft (1-1.5m) that was overlaid with a NNW wind of 10-15 kts; making for a confused wave/chop sea state for the drivers.  Nevertheless, the fleet was treated to two more races for their series.

The Provisional results (compiled after the first 8 races) sees the Hungarian JUKE BOX team leading with 11 pts, followed by ITA 447 in second with 19 pts and ITA 358 in third with 24 pts.

"The race course was very gusty as the J/24 crews struggled with the ‘fiocco’ winds,” explained Federico Miccio, crew on JUMPING JACK FLASH. “In addition, with the breeze constantly shifting right and a significant current flowing southeast, meant the J/24 crews were having difficulties judging the starting line. The day started right away with two general recalls; that prompted the race committee to hoist the black flag in the third preparatory.  We opted to go with the jib that gave us greater stability in the big gusts.  This decision combined with going right on the first beat enabled us to take advantage of the shift and finish third in the race behind Spear and the Hungarians.”

Taranto- Winter Championship
Unlike their friends to the north in Rome, the J/24 crews down south in Taranto had a beautiful weekend of sailing, with racing hosted by the Sailing Club Ondabuena Academy.

“We were fortunate to have nice conditions to get three races,” explained Chief of the Puglia J/24 fleet- Nino Soriano, helmsman and co-owner of JEBEDEE. “The difficult interpretation of the course, with different pressure zones of wind and frequent changes in direction are what characterized this day.  Apart from the first race, in which they recorded an OCS, Thomas De Bellis Vitti and Elia Masi sailed FIVE FOR FIGHTING fast and dominated the day with two first places in the last two races.  Also having a good performance was Sandro Negro’s DOCTOR J, winner of the first race, and Massimo Ruggiero’s CANARINO FEROCE, taking second in the last two races behind FIVE FOR FIGHTING.”

In the overall standings for the series, FIVE FOR FIGHTING continues to lead the fleet, followed by JEBEDEE in 2nd, DOCTOR J in 3rd, MARBEA (Marcello Bellacicca) in 4th and LITTLE DEVIL (Ferdinand Capobianco) in 5th.

Portoferraio- Elbe Winter Cup
Henry Gambelunghe’s BE-BEEF continues to lead the Elbe Winter Cup, sailing off Portoferraio on the northeastern coast of the island of Elba.  According the Gambelunghe, “the weather conditions were not the most heartening; the forecast was for up to 25 kts of wind and rain.  But, the crews were not discouraged and at 1030 hrs, the PRO onboard the famous S&S 1971 design WA WA TOO, managed to send us off in two good races.  The wind started out strong, with gusts hitting 25 kts, but it soon diminished after the first two legs of the first race and a light rain, as expected, started to fall.  When we were finished after a wet, but exciting day of sailing on our beautiful bay, all the crews found themselves in front of huge plates of homemade pasta cooked by the President of the Italian Naval League in Portoferraio- Alessandro Schezzini!!  Good pasta and our delicious Italian red wines- fantastico!!”

He went on to say, “Thanks to all, the organization, the jury, and to the Italian Naval League for their supports.  Elba Winter Cup will continue on the Sundays of 19 February and 5 March. The final stage of the championship will be held Sunday, March 19."  For more Italian J/24 sailing information

Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race Announcement

(Marblehead, MA)- Registration is now open for the biennial Marblehead to Halifax Ocean race July 9.  “With more than 1,500 ‘likes’ on Facebook we are excited about the early interest,” said Jennie Aspinall, Vice Commodore-elect of the Boston Yacht Club and chair of the 2017 event. “We are looking forward to a full fleet of competitors at the starting line in July,” she continued.

The 363-nautical mile Marblehead to Halifax is one of the oldest races on the eastern seaboard. It began in 1905 and has continued every other year except during wartime. It is cosponsored by the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA and the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax. Major support comes from the Steele Auto Group of Nova Scotia.

“Marblehead is the idyllic place for the start of this race,” Aspinall declares. “There will be a round of parties and social events throughout the weekend before starting the race.”  The race has been a popular one for J/sailors across the northeastern seaboard, with class and overall wins taken by some over the course of time- J/35s, J/40s, J/44s, J/120s, J/111s all have garnered silverware in this famous race.  For more Marblehead Halifax Race registration and sailing information

Fabulous Mount Gay Barbados Series

(Bridgetown, Barbados)- The Mount Gay Round Barbados Series organized by Barbados Cruising Club, in association with Barbados Tourism Marketing and Mount Gay, got off to a spectacular start with the first race of the three-day Coastal Series blessed with glorious sailing conditions.

A good 17-20 kts of north-easterly breeze and relatively flat seas resulted in exciting close racing for the five fleets, which ranged from Windsurfers and Foiling International Moths, Cruising classes, to the CSA Racing class.

The courses started in Carlisle Bay and took the fleets generally out to the southeast, round South Point to Tapas, a mark just off the beach up the east coast. The CSA Racing Division, the largest fleet in the Coastal Series, enjoyed exciting racing along the south coast.  Local hotshot Peter Lewis, and team on the J/105 WHISTLER sailed well and managed to clinch the opening race on corrected time.

The second day produced spectacular competition once again. Although it was an unusually damp day with rain squalls passing through for most of the race, the wind built under the clouds to 15-16kts, which made for really exciting racing along the west coast of the island.

According to Steven Kern, tactician aboard the J/105 WHISTLER and winner of the day’s CSA Racing division, this week is one of the most competitive he has experienced in the event’s recent history. “The starts and the close racing throughout have been fantastic. It has been consistently competitive, which is what we love.”

Kern, sailing with skipper Peter Lewis and team, who are seasoned Caribbean circuit sailors, added another win to their race win yesterday and were now looking good for an overall Coastal Series win. They say their secret weapon this week is a new flat spinnaker.

“The new spinnaker worked beautifully going up the west coast. It is a smaller spinnaker we can fly for longer. I think we also managed to stay focused even when we dropped up the coast. The wind dropped to less than 2kts at one stage off Holetown, but we popped the kite and gained a lot.”

The final day of the Coastal Series concluded in spectacular style with sunshine, a good working breeze up to 17-18kts, and a relatively flat sea. The 15nm course took the fleet out to the west, followed by a long windward leg to Oistins, not far off South Point.  The conditions made for a particularly exciting conclusion to the Series with results in some classes going down to the wire.

Peter Lewis and his seasoned local team aboard WHISTLER clinched the series today with three straight wins. This super-tuned team demonstrated their impressive kite handling skills once again, so it wasn’t particularly surprising to see them take overall honours. Their closest rivals throughout the series were Stimson 42 and a local TP52 race team.

Interestingly Calvin Piggott & Mark Mostovac on the J/24 PADDINGTON sailed a storming first beat and led round the windward mark. With clear air, this team looked set to challenge for the win in the early stages but sailed a long way out to the right on first reach and, unfortunately, were overhauled.  Had they won the race, they might have earned silver!  However, their risky move did not pay off and ended up in 3rd for the race and 4th overall in Non-CSA Racing Class.

Following the Coastal Series Awards and the Round Barbados Race Skippers’ Briefing, teams enjoyed the party at Copacabana Beach Bar, just along the beach from Barbados Cruising Club. With a planned lay day, crews have a chance to recuperate before the lay day Regatta Polo Match, which was taking place in the afternoon at Holders Polo Field, St James.

Round Island Race
The 60nm Mount Gay Round Barbados Race took place on Saturday 21 January.  The wind was generally light from the east-north-east, reaching no more that 12-15kts so it was never going to be a big record breaking day, but those who took part raced hard for a chance to smash one of the 14 records up for grabs, all of which offered a chance to win the skipper’s weight in Mount Gay Rum.

Following on their success in the Coastal Series, the J/105 WHISTLER continued her winning ways, taking CSA 35 ft Under Division and taking 6th overall in the fleet of fifteen boats.

Meanwhile, the local J/24 sailors Cyril Lecrenay on BUNGA BUNGA and Gus Reader on GLORY DAZE enjoyed close racing at the head of the fleet, despite the extremely light airs at the 0700 start. As they rounded the top of the Island three hours into the race, they were still neck and neck and reveling in the breeze that had built to 10-12kts. A close race continued down the east coast but it was GLORY DAZE that finally took the One-Design Division win.  For more Mount Gay Rum Barbados series sailing information