The first day of the 2017 Formula 18 Americas Championship featured big breeze of 18-24 knots and 3-5′ steep waves. The F18 normally handles big wind very well, but with these waves caused issued for many teams leading to nearly half the fleet only finishing one race.
After 3 races, Ken and Eric Marshack from Portland, Oregon lead the Formula 18 Americas Championship being sailed out of Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach, California. Long time F18 sailors, this father 
son team are one of three teams sailing with a new sail design called the “Decksweeper” sail, they are also one of the heaviest and tallest teams sailing the event which gave them lots of extra horsepower upwind.
son team are one of three teams sailing with a new sail design called the “Decksweeper” sail, they are also one of the heaviest and tallest teams sailing the event which gave them lots of extra horsepower upwind.In Second place are Charles Tomeo and Dalton Tebo from Sarasota, Florida followed by Charles Froeb and Erwan Griziaux from San Francisco.
Tomorrows forecast is for slightly less breeze of 12-16 knots and the course will be inside the breakwater. 3 more days of racing and with several top teams sitting on the beach the results will get mixed up a bit in the coming days and will lead to some exciting racing!
Full results here: https://www.sailwave.com
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Photo credit Rohan Hollingsworth