NEWPORT, RI, JULY 10-11, 2011: The F18s were once again well represented this past weekend at the Newport Regatta held out of Sail Newport at historic Fort Adams, with seventeen teams participating. This was the first race of the North East F18 Series this season held at a large regatta (nearly 180 boats racing) and the F18s shared a racing circle with the modern A Class, the classic 6mR, and S Class fleets. Only the Laser fleet had more boats racing (24) than the F18s. Racing took place in the waters north of Newport Bridge in sunny and warm weather the entire weekend. On Saturday, wind conditions started light and variable, building to moderate 10kts with huge shifts as the north-westerly gradient and sea breeze fought each other most of the morning. The race committee did a good job moving the course around in the changing conditions, and keeping competitors well informed with their megaphone – “the racing for dummies” gesture was much appreciated by many teams. Three relatively long races of close to an hour each were completed in two different breeze directions after one abandoned race and one general recall. There were many position changes due to the variable conditions keeping the racing exciting to the very end. Sunday started out very light, but the sea breeze filled in early and by the time racing started the breeze was solid 7kts and kept building throughout the afternoon. Once again three relatively long races of an hour each were held. Mike Easton and Tripp Burd fresh off top ten finishes at a number of highly competitive European regattas were in a class of their own with six bullets. The racing for second place was close with only 6 points separating 2nd and 5th place and 38 points separating 2nd and 14th! The Olympic Pedigreed Merrick brothers were rewarded for their consistency (2x 2nds and 1x 3rd) with a 2nd overall and the Canadians who made the long trip continued their strong results with 3rd and 5th place finishes. Demonstrating the flexibility of the F18 platform is the fact that nearly a third of the fleet (5 boats) were mixed female / male teams, and three of the ladies were on helm. Eric Witte and Annnie Gardner were the top mixed team in an impressive 4th place overall. The level of racing continues to rise at each regatta as the better teams have taken the time to help and teach those new to the class, a great aspect of the New England F18 fleet. Off the water, the regatta organizers held very well attended social events after racing with good food and drinks shared by all right next to the Sail Newport Mule Barn. The F18 teams enjoyed some very fine brownies baked by Fleet “Den Mother” Sandra Tartaglino catching up with each other and friends from the other classes, and the young (or just young of heart) enjoyed the local live band The Ravers in town on Saturday night. The Eastern Area F18 Fleet would like to thank the Newport Regatta organizers, Sail Newport, volunteers, race officials, Narragansett Beer, other sponsors and understanding/supportive significant others for another weekend of fantastic racing.
PHOTOS by Lindsay Smith via Facebook
Part of the Narragansett Beer Eastern Area F18 Summer Series:
