NEWPORT, RI, JULY 14-15, 2012: The Eastern Area F18 Series was provided with a weekend of pristine sailing conditions during the Newport Regatta organized by Sail Newport. As one of the biggest sailing events in the country, Sail Newport does an amazing job getting nearly three hundred boats competing in many sailing classes. Onshore activities included dinner, beverages, and entertainment to provide an excellent après sail atmosphere.
The weather forecast a few days out was for light breeze and oppressively hot temperatures in the 90s. On a hot summer day you can’t bet against the famously reliable Newport seabreeze and for the second event in a row it delivered. Conditions started off a bit light for the sail out to the course which was just North of the Newport Bridge. Just before racing, like clockwork the seabreeze filled quickly around noon to allow ten solid races in double trapeze conditions.
The F18 fleet had 16 boats in attendance, racing was very close throughout the fleet. The most notable battle was between the top three boats. Merrick/Burd won four races as they continue to get faster each event showing their determination to take a regatta win from Easton/Burd who won six races. Also getting faster was Riccardi/Scanlon who were consistently close to the top two, consistently in the top three including five second place finishes. Their hopes of second overall were dashed after capsizing while leading the last race of the event.
At the awards ceremony Brad Reed, Executive Director of Sail Newport, in front of hundreds of sailors remarked on how exciting the F18s are to watch and how much he personally enjoys having these boats at this regatta.
The next event of the Eastern Area F18 series is the USF18 Eastern Area Championships at the Hyannis Regatta which will have 25-30 boats from all over the east coast.
Final Results:
1) Mike Easton & Tripp Burd – 12 points
2) Bob Merrick & Tyler Burd – 21 points
3) Todd Riccardi & Brendon Scanlon – 26 points
Part of the Narragansett Beer Eastern Area F18 Summer Series:
