HYANNIS, MA, JULY 27-29, 2012: The USF18 fleet returned to Hyannis Yacht Club, site of the 2011 North American Championship, to contest the 2012 Eastern Area Championship. Anticipation was high in the lead up to the weekend, with strong contingents from Florida, New York, and Canada joining the local Eastern Area fleet, and bringing the registered boats up to 26. Included in those registered were the top four boats from the 2011 North Americans, as well as six of the top ten from that championship.
Storylines were not in short supply, especially at the top of the fleet. Would the Team Ronstan boat of Mike Easton and Tripp Burd avenge their second place finish at North Americans, and regain the waters of Nantucket Sound from North American Champ Robbie Daniels? Would Bob Merrick and Tyler Burd break their string of second place finishes and take the Eastern Area title? Would the young stars Taylor Reiss and Matt Whitehead show their mentors the way around the course? All great storylines, and all to be decided over three great days of racing on the waters off of Hyannis.
The forecast for the weekend was light, but typical Hyannis conditions prevailed to give 3 great days of racing. Friday’s conditions challenged the race committee and the fleet as a southerly breeze shifted back to the north and built. Two races were sailed after the first race was abandoned due to a heavily shifting breeze. Both Daniels/Chu and Easton/Burd started strong, taking bullets and finding themselves at the top of the leaderboard.
When sailors returned to shore they were welcomed by cold Narragansett Beer, and a rules talk held by fleet member Jeff Dusek, who is also a judge. The majority of the 40 min talk centered around rule 18 (mark room) with examples based on sailors’ questions. Everyone found the talk very informative with rule violations at the marks declining significantly for the rest of the races. Afterwards, the group gathered at a local pub for dinner, pool, and a cornhole tournament.
On Saturday, the race committee got racing started promptly at 1100, to complete 6 races in a variable ENE 5-14 kts. breeze. Current had a major effect, especially on the starting line, where the black flag became a staple of the day in order to keep boats behind the line. The top half of the fleet was incredibly close all the way around the course, with even minor mistakes in boat handling or tactics being punished with multiple lost places. The team of Bob Merrick and Tyler Burd won the day, taking a five-point lead into the final day of the championship. The darkhorses for the day were the young team of Ravi Parent and Erick Weinstein from the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program. The team showed incredible speed, especially downwind, and ended the day with an exceptional scoreline that included three thirds and a second, proving they are a team to watch! Keeping with the social tradition of the Eastern Area Fleet, Saturday’s festivities included live music at the club, more ‘Gansett, a healthy amount of trash talking, and dinner at Sam Diegos.
After some heavy rain squalls came through overnight, sailors awoke to a 10 kts building northerly on Sunday. With the top three spots up for grabs, sailors got amped up with a blasting reach out to the race course in 15-18kt northerly wind with flat water. Four races were held back to back, with multiple capsizes and close racing around the course. The heavier winds extracted some damage on the fleet with a few broken spinpoles, a ripped main, and one serious collision that almost sunk a boat. Fortunately, everyone returned home safe with only some cuts, bruises, and great stories. The winners of the day were Easton/Burd, scoring a 2,1,2,1 followed very closely by Reiss/Whitehead with 1,2,1,4. The team of Riccardi and Scanlon also had an outstanding day, securing multiple top five finishes and showing they have speed to spare when the breeze is on.
After twelve competitive races, it was Easton/Burd (Nacra MK2) taking the Eastern Area title, and reclaiming dominance of the waters of Nantucket Sound. Merrick/Burd (APHC C2) held on to finish second, showing great consistency throughout the entire event, and firmly establishing themselves as a top US contender for the upcoming worlds. With their outstanding last day, Reiss/Whitehead (AHPC C2) moved up to third overall, just ahead of Casey/Tebo (Cirrus R) and Daniels/Chu (AHPC C2).
The Eastern Area fleet would like to extend the largest thanks possible to the Hyannis Yacht Club for continuing their strong support of our fleet, and hosting our Eastern Area Championships again this year. We would also like to thank all the boats that drove long distances to support the event, and make it the biggest USF18 event in the lead up to the 2012 Worlds. Next up for the Eastern Area fleet is the New England 100 at Quonset Point on August 11 and 12, and we hope to see you there!
Part of the Narragansett Beer Eastern Area F18 Summer Series:
