After a weather-interrupted opening day yesterday, Corpus Christi put on a sparkling day Tuesday for day two of competition in the Zhik 2014 US F18 Nationals. The Race Committee were able to get through all four scheduled races in a north easterly breeze that built to around 15 knots.
In the first race today, Mike Easton and Tripp Burd continued the fine early form they showed yesterday. At the first upwind mark they were in 6th place, but by their second time around A had established a commanding lead over Charles Tomeo and Dalton Tebo in second. They held the lead to the finish, and with 3, 4, 3 in the remaining races ended the day with their overall lead intact on 8 points, after one throw-out.
John Casey and Colin Page also retain the second place overall that they gained on day one of the regatta with a strong day of sailing that included a firs in Race 4. Moving into the top three today was Cruz Gonzalez Smith and Mariano Heuser who have traveled from Argentina for this event. After an eighth in yesterday’s only race, they impressed all day today, starting with a 5th in Race 2, but ending with three consecutive 2nd places, to finish the day tied for second place with Casey and Page.
Two boats are currently tied for fourth place – local team John Tomko and Jonathan Atwood and the Dutch team Gunnar Larsen and Ferdinand van West. Tomko took a bullet in the final race today. Gunnar and Ferdinand came close to winning Race 4, leading the second time around the top mark, but hooked their spinnaker on the back of a main batten while hoisting which resulted in a significant tear in the luff and cost them two places. Still they were able to complete the day without returning to the beach, with a fifth in the final race.
Overall a great day of racing. We’re looking forward to more tomorrow!