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2003 Race Week Action
June 30, 2003 -- For Immediate Release
WRAP UP - NORTH SAILS RACE WEEK 2003
-- Seven Races, Close Contests, and New Champions
LONG BEACH, Calif.---The 19th edition of this Southern California classic gave competitors a chance to prove their mettle with a mix of conditions, a seven race series, and a star-studded array of sailing talent.
The stars were out for sure - Ed Baird, Dean Barker, Paul Cayard, Dennis Conner, Robbie Haines,
Peter Isler, Hamish Pepper were among the notables. But they shared the limelight at
North Sails Race Week with weekend warriors and family teams. The ultimate prize - Boat of the Week - was awarded to Jim and Lori Richardson in their new J/109,
Shekinah.
The hard fought battle in PHRF 4 is proof that handicap racing has plenty of drama, suspense, and fierce competition. Sailing from Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club in nearby San Pedro, they overcame an early event mishap with their spinnaker, won two races and then a tiebreaker with Dick Velthoen and Paul de Freitas' J/35,
Rival. By discarding that first race, Shekinah ended up on the podium collecting class honors as well as PHRF and event
Boat of the Week.
They also shared the Lydia Kent Family Trophy with PHRF 3 winner Paul Kent, one of eight descendants of the trophy's late namesake on board. Kent's Farr 395
Chance took top honors in PHRF 3.
A seven race series was new this year. In past years there have been five, but competitors wanted more. Event founder and organizer Bruce Golison challenged his veteran race committee to deliver and they did not disappoint.
"This was a terrific event.....the Race Committee was outstanding", emailed Philippe Kahn at the conclusion.
Also new was the discard, but it didn't help Samba Pa Ti. John Kilroy's Farr 40 from California YC, with Paul Cayard as tactician, twice recovered from jumping the gun in starts Saturday to share first place with Peter Stoneberg's
Shadow from St. Francis YC going into the last race. But on Sunday when they failed to clear the line and then a second restart their fate was sealed. With a building westerly breeze, they had no way to catch up.
North Sails Race Week's largest class - the J/105s - contested their Pacific Coast Championships. Another San Francisco boat, Tom Coates'
Masquerade, ran away with top honors in this 26 boat class. Unfortunately, Coates wasn't on the boat. He cut his left hand severely last Wednesday so, on 48 hours' notice, tactician/mainsail trimmer Chris Perkins stepped in as skipper and helmsman.
Dave Ullman, with one race remaining found himself even with Don Jesberg of San Francisco and Newport Harbor YC rivals Argyle Campbell and Bruce Ayres dogging their transoms. He won the last race and took home the
Melges 24 class trophy
J/80s made their one design class debut at Long Beach. Despite the appearance of all those "bullets", the seven boats from as far away as Texas gave Californian Dave Hammett's
DNA some tough competition.
The Yacht Club Challenge Trophy was won by St. Francis, based on the class wins by
Masquerade and Shadow and a second place by Bill Wright's
Zsa Zsa behind Fanger and Mario Yovkov in the 1D35s.
North Sails Race Week is co-managed by Golison and Golison and Premiere Racing. Premiere Racing is the event organizer for Key West 2004---the annual January sailing pilgrimage for boats from across the U.S. and around the world.
Long-time sponsors North Sails and Team McLube were joined by official timekeeper and new Day Sponsor
Nautica Watches. J/Boats, Raider RIBS inflatable tenders,
Albertson's, Kaenon Sunglasses and Sailing Pro
Shop were official supporters of North Sails Race Week.
Event headquarters was at the SeaPort Marina Hotel - the Official Hotel and site for the event headquarters and social activities. Ayres Hotels, known for their European boutique ambience, is the official luxury hotel for the event.
Official photographer: Sue Bodycomb / YachtShots.com
Class winners (7 races - with discard):
PHRF 1 (7 boats)---Yassou (Transpac 52), Jim Demetriades, Los Angeles YC, 1-2-2-1-1-(3)-2, 9 points.
PHRF 2 (11)---Cita (Schock 40), Cita Litt/George Twist, Newport Harbor YC, 3-(4)-1-2-2-1-2, 11.
PHRF 3 (8)---Chance (Farr 395), Paul Kent, San Francisco YC, 2-2-1-1-1-1-(4), 8.
PHRF 4 (11)---Shekinah (J/109), Jim and Lori Thompson, Cabrillo Beach YC, (12)-5-1-2-01-3-3, 15
PHRF 5 (9)---Kiwi Boat (Young 88), Chuck and Brad Mercord, NFYC, (3)-3-2-3-3-2-3, 16.
FARR 40 (9: Pacific Coast championships)---Shadow, Peter Stoneberg, St. Francis YC, 1-2-(6)-6-1-1-1, 12.
1D35 (8)---Sensation, Fanger and Mario Yovkov, San Francisco, (5)-4--1-1-1-1-3, 11.
SCHOCK 35 (11; Pacific Coast championships)---Piranha, David Voss, California YC, 2-1-2-1-(4)-4-1, 11.
MELGES 24 (16)---USA 399, Dave Ullman, Balboa/ABYC YCs, 1-2-3-1-3-(7)-1, 11.
J/120 (6)---Doctor No, Jed Olenick, San Diego YC, 1-1-(2)-2-2-1-1, 8.
J/105 (26; Pacific Coast championships)---Masquerade, Chris Perkins, St. Francis YC, 1-1-(5)-1-1-1-1, 6.
J/80 (7)---DNA, David Hammett, Bahia Corinthian YC, 1-1-1-1-(2)-1-1, 6.
Complete results and photos at www.Premiere-Racing.com
Quotes and Notes from Rich Roberts' coverage:
"We are surprisingly pleased. We were just here to learn and get used to using an asymmetrical spinnaker." Jim Thompson -
Shekinah
"It's an amazing team and I have a J/105 so it was about like sailing my own boat." Chris Perkins -
b
"We were a bit rusty . . . " Cita helmsman George Twist, commenting on their win after a year's hiatus. "And a little lucky," Cita Litt added.
Roy E. Disney's Pyewacket bowed out after four races to slip into its Transpac mode, allowing
Yassou to cruise to first place in PHRF 1.
Jed Olenick, stuck on business obligations in San Diego, had Joe Cramer sail his J/120,
Doctor No, the first two days. Then, with three new crew members plus himself on board, he returned Sunday to win the last two races and wrap up the class title.
CONTACTS
Golison & Golison: (714) 379-4884 / fax (714) 379-3865
bruce@golison.com
Premiere Racing: (781) 639-9545
NSRW@Premiere-Racing.com
Rich Roberts: (310) 835-2526
richsail@earthlink.net
We
welcome your comments and feedback, as participant satisfaction is our top priority.
Please feel free to e-mail us at:
nsrw@premiere-racing.com
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