PRELIMINARY RESULTS

The second day of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series at Marblehead Race Week was progressing like any other classic summer day off the coast of the iconic East Coast harbor, with nearly a half-dozen one-design fleets enjoying the afternoon’s final races. The morning’s brilliant sunshine had given way to towering thunderclouds that slid past to the south, and all was easy going.

Until it wasn’t.

Just as the regatta’s J/70s, Viper 640s and International 110s were sailing their final downwind legs, a surprising wall of wind unleashed its fury. While some teams savored the high-speed spinnaker run, many opted to keep their spinnakers on deck.

Other sailors were caught off guard with the ferocity of the fast-moving squall, including Joe Berkeley and his crewmate Linda Epstein, winners of the day’s first race in the International 110 fleet.

They were within striking distance of the race leader, and “licking our chops,” Berkeley says. With Epstein on the trapeze and trimming the spinnaker and Berkeley on the helm of the flat-bottomed one-design classic, they were relishing the high-speed run until they altered course to avoid a J/70 sailing upwind.

In a blink, they were on their side and taking on water.

“The boat rounded up and flipped really fast,” he says. Epstein ended up tangled in the mainsail but managed to release the vang to prevent the boat from sinking completely.

Although they avoided a total submersion, the boat was awash and required extensive bailing. “It was a moment of introspection,” Berkeley reflected candidly, accepting responsibility for the capsize. “I should’ve taken the kite down. I didn’t.”

Despite the setback, he remained grateful they hadn’t broken any equipment and was looking forward to returning for the next day’s racing.

Berkely and Epstein’s closest rivals, Steve Clark and his crewmate Bill Platt, had doused their spinnaker in time and let the worst of the squall pass. They were soon back to full sail and winning the race easily and lead the series.

In the chaos of the squall, while wildly exiting the windward mark offset in traffic, Bruce Golison’s crew on the J/70 Midlife Crisis, which won the first race of the day collided with another boat and retired from the race with both boats sustaining damage.

Peter Duncan’s J/70 team on Relative Obscurity was well ahead of the fray when the worst of it hit and was enjoying a blistering run until they had to drop the spinnaker in order to lay the mark. Obscurity crewmember Victor Diaz de Leon later reported that it was the fastest he’s ever gone in a J/70, with a 10-second or so sustained 21 knots. Dousing and two-sail reaching across the finish line gave them the race win and the series lead with a 1-point delta over Bruno Pasquinelli’s team on Stampede.

Henry Amthor and his teammates on the Viper 640 were seen whooping and laughing in the squall as they blitzed to their second race win of the day.

The regatta’s other fleets were already done racing and returning to harbor when the squall passed, and the team on Ted Hardenbergh’s Lightning, from Massabesic Yacht Club in Manchester, New Hampshire, were happy to miss it after an already high-stress day that has them leading their 8-boat fleet by only 1 point.

For them, it was a day of tactical comebacks and strategic adjustments that somehow worked out when they didn’t expect it to. In the first race, Hardenbergh found himself at the back of the fleet around the first mark after a bad start.

“The very first race, we were DFL to the first mark. We went hard left after the start,” Hardenbergh says. Despite the initial setback, his crew remained focused on the downwind leg. “We sailed deep on the first downwind leg and then jibed early. There was definitely more pressure coming downwind from the left,” he says. This one move allowed them to overtake nearly the entire fleet, ultimately securing a third-place finish.

For the second race, Hardenbergh adjusted his approach based in changing conditions. “We were a little late to the boat, and we tacked away quick and went off pretty hard to the right,” he says, explaining their tactical decision to sail up current while expecting a right shift in the breeze as the storm clouds approached. The strategy paid off with a second-place finish after race officials shortened the course at the leeward mark.

In the third race, Hardenbergh continued his right-side strategy, leading the fleet in that direction despite another late start. “The pressure seemed to be over there. It seemed to work out well,” he says. Despite challenges navigating around the Rhodes 19 fleet near the weather mark, his team secured another strong finish, capping off what he described as “a major, major improvement” over the previous year’s performance.

Brad Tindall, helming the Texas-based J/105 TnT (named for co-owners Greg Terman and Tindall), enjoyed a remarkable debut at Marblehead, securing multiple race victories. For Tindall, though not for all of his crew, this was a first-time experience at the Marblehead regatta.

“We had a great day, a really kick-ass start to the first race. We were launched out and just had great separation,” Tindall says. His team found themselves in perfect rhythm with the conditions, with boat balance and speed that allowed them to maintain an edge throughout the day.

The second race proved even more satisfying despite a challenging mid-fleet start. “The most gratifying race was the second one,” Tindall says. “We didn’t have such a great start, but we fought our way up.”

He says his crew demonstrated exceptional course awareness and tactical decision-making, consistently finding favorable wind shifts.

“Every time we tacked, we got lifted,” marveled his tactician Mark Foster, noting how unusual this consistent good fortune was. “It’s usually the other way around.”

Accustomed to the more predictable conditions of his home waters in Corpus Christi, Tindall found the day’s 60-degree wind shifts initially unnerving but ultimately manageable thanks to excellent crew coordination.

Their strong performance positions them well for the remainder of the regatta, 3 points ahead of Charlie Garrard’s Merlin, a local top team.

In the International One-Designs, which started the regatta on Thursday, Bill Widnall’s Javelin followed up its two race wins yesterday with a pair of thirds today. Carolyn Corbet’s Elektra was the top team for the day with a 1-2 to pull to within a point of Widnall’s Javelin.

The Rhodes 19 class also began its series on Thursday with a pair of races. The father-son duo of Nat and Jim Taylor have 1-2-7-1 on the scoreboard for a 6 point lead over Debbie Noble and Adam Roberts who finished the day with a 10th after an OCS restart had them battling back through the 23-boat fleet—no easy feat for sure.

Nick Cann and Andrea Dodge lead the Town Class fleet after four races and Ben Wilkinson’s team on the Etchells Freebird lead its class with a first and second on the day. Numerous general recalls delayed a third race attempt, and that race was ultimately abandoned before the squall arrived.

ILCA 6 and 7 sailors begin their series tomorrow, with racing scheduled through Sunday.

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Online travel experts have it wrong when it comes to Marblehead. Predictable lists of “Things to Do” are the same old tourism flap: Saunter through historic homes and winding one-way streets, pop into a boutique. Get a cookie at the Muffin Shop. Take a walk out to Fort Sewall. Catch a sunrise at Chandler Hovey Park and Marblehead Lighthouse.

Of course, one could also book a fishing charter to catch some “striphahs,” get spooked in nearby Salem or sauced on pint-sized drinks at Maddie’s Sail Loft. And while those are all fine and good, there’s one glaring omission on the summer to-do list: “Watch the sailboat races and drink rum with the thirsty sailors of Marblehead Race Week, one of America’s longest running hometown regattas.”

Sailing and drinking are what local and visiting teams will be doing this week as the final stop of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series at Marblehead Race Week returns on Thursday, starting with the iconic and classy International One-Design keelboats and the spunky and classic Rhodes 19s.

Come Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the waters off the aforementioned Hovey Park will then be teaming with one-design classes of many shapes and sizes—from the diminutive Town Class classics to the sporty Viper 640s. From the little ILCAs to the big J/105s. And with the newer-school J/70s alongside the old-school International 110s, one thing’s for sure, Marblehead’s racing scene will be at its peak.

Boston Yacht Club, founded in 1866 and serving as the welcome mat on the town side of Marblehead Harbor, serves as proud host of this storied event. As per Race Week tradition, Boston’s neighbors over on the Neck—Eastern and Corinthian yacht clubs—share hosting in alternating years. All clubs collaborate on the running of races, but it’s Boston’s turn to host the post-race parties this year.

The Etchells Bump is Real

Launching from the hoists at Boston and other clubs each race day will be the regatta’s long and slim Etchells class sloops. Once left for dead in Marblehead, the class is enjoying a local resurgence, which local sailing Hall of Famer Jud Smith says has been a long time coming.

“The class has transformed,” Smith says, reflecting on the growing strength of the Etchells fleet at this regatta and in Marblehead itself. “Eight years ago, the class came to me and asked what can we do to save the class in Marblehead,” he says. “I said, ‘it’s going to be really easy: You have to host regattas and just do it on a consistent basis.’ One-design classes are all about regattas and people get excited about them, especially when they’re local, and they’re somewhat repeatable and get traction. Anybody who’s got a decent boat is going show up do this regatta.”

The resurrection of the Etchells class in Marblehead is largely attributed to the dedicated efforts of Tomas Hornos and a few passionate locals who have worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the fleet. Hornos, a champion sailor who works at Smith’s Doyle Sails loft in Salem, plays a pivotal role in this effort by securing older boats, many of which have lately come from the once-thriving fleet in Annapolis. Many of these boats are sent to Florida, where Ezra Culver and his team at EZ Marine work their magic, giving them a new lease on life before returning north.

Hornos’ dedication goes beyond merely getting older boats up to speed; he actively opens doors for new sailors to join the fleet by making the boats accessible. “We take active measures to ensure these boats remain in top condition,” Smith says, “which makes the class both approachable and enticing.”

For Smith, it’s also deeply personal. After his daughter Lindsey faced a long and challenging recovery from a traumatic life-threatening injury, Smith saw an opportunity to keep her Etchells sailing team Fast Mermaid on the racecourse by maintaining the boat for her and keeping it active in the fleet. “Instead of just letting the whole thing just die, I just thought it was the right thing to keep that whole program going,” he says, “with the idea that we’re going to get back and, you know, get back to full strength.”

International 110s Join the Party

Another return to the Race Week scene that Smith is excited to have is the International 110 class, which is now vibrant in Northeast and West Coast. “The 110 is a great boat with a lot of character,” he says, harking back to the days when he and his wife Cindy sailed one together before they were married. The boat holds a special place for Smith, not just for its nostalgic value, but because of its enduring appeal and affordability.

“I remember buying my 110 for $1,000. And if I was to fix it up and sell it today, I could still get a $1,000 for it,” says Smith, highlighting the boat’s lasting value and cult following. This affordability, combined with the boat’s vibrant and colorful aesthetics, makes it standout on the water. “It’s nice to see that they’ve got a good fleet down on the South Shore,” he notes, adding that this resurgence is a testament to its continued relevance and the passionate sailors who keep its legacy alive.

The Enduring Rhodes 19 the Race Week Regular

The Rhodes 19 class, always one of the largest at the regatta, remains a steadfast part of Marblehead’s vibrant sailing scene, admired for its enduring appeal and competitive racing. The class has enjoyed consistency in numbers at Race Week and remains attractive for young families and local sailors, drawn to its smaller scale and the close community it fosters. Despite the challenges of balancing family commitments with busy racing schedules, these sailors are particularly motivated as Race Week will serve as a key regatta for the upcoming Rhodes 19 Nationals in Marblehead.

The community aspect of Marblehead’s sailing scene is as significant as the competition itself. While Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series events are renowned for their unrivaled post-racing social experiences, the Marblehead stop of the series has a uniquely local flair with most fleets hosting house parties and lively socials on Thursday night. These gatherings foster connections between sailors of all ages and experience levels.

While there are old-timers and old-time perpetual trophies at Race Week, these days there’s an undeniable generational shift and that’s because of the accessibility of Marblehead Race Week in particular, Smith says. “The problem up here is access to the water,” he says. “The yacht clubs cooperate to help have these boats sailing, and that’s a good thing.”

Through boat donations, mentorship, and an emphasis on fleet-building, the regatta has managed to attract younger sailors and diverse teams, ensuring its vitality for years to come. And, unlike many other regattas, Marblehead Race Week thrives during the summer, making it a standout event on the sailing calendar. As Smith points out, Marblehead’s choice long ago to host this regatta in the heart of summer is unique.

“Most clubs like to have something else going on in the summer, or like to have the club available for their membership,” he says. But Race Week’s scheduling allows Marblehead to showcase not only its beautiful sailing conditions but also its vibrant community, its stunning coastal scenery, and most importantly its hospitality.

So, while tourists sticking to their Tripadvisor must-do list may be content with their cookies from the Muffin Shop and sunrise views from Marblehead Lighthouse, those in the know will be watching the spectacular sailing of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series at Marblehead Race Week and catching the sunset buzz at Boston YC.

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Making good use of an afternoon practice session ahead of the 2025 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in Chicago in June—another step toward their goal of winning a J/70 world title, skipper Cate Terhune-Muller and her crew—husband Allan Terhune, tactician Steve Hunt and trimmer Nick Turney—are circling in the starting area on board the Terhune’s J/70 Casting Couch. This is the second practice start of the informal scrimmage, which will be followed by a short windward-leeward lap. Their intent is to win the pin, a high-risk move given the caliber of teams on the other boats.

“Let’s do a pin layline practice,” Hunt says to his teammates, his communication clear and focused. The pre-race ritual of testing angles and timing is critical—especially given that everyone is using GPS-based starting systems.

 Turney takes a quick glance at his watch and says, “3:15.”

 “Call pin lay, Alan,” Hunt says, his yes scanning for other boats positioning themselves and gauging their position relative to the pin-end bouy.

 “Not there yet,” Terhune responds.

 “3:10,” Turney updates the team.

The cadence and clarity of the pre-start conversation reflects the level of professionalism with the team and the hundreds of hours they’ve spent racing, training and deep debriefing with their all-star coach Chris Larson.

“Heading up here and tacking,” Hunt announces. “Barely there.”

 With less than 2 minutes until the start, Casting Couch maneuvers into position. Another boat, Richard Witzel’s Rowdy, is lining up for a pin end start as well.

“Rowdy wants the pin,” Hunt says, telling Muller-Terhune to, “Let him go in front of you.”

The countdown continues as they make their final approach.

 “One minute, 64 meters,” Turney calls out.

“If you overlap, go above,” Hunt instructs Muller-Terhune, who is focused on maintaining clean air and a strong position.

They double tack to position themselves to leeward of Rowdy, sails luffing to slow the boat. And as the seconds tick down, there’s a sudden urgency to Hunt’s calls.

“I think we’re in trouble here, guys,” He warns.

Turney jumps into the conversation with a countdown: “Ten, nine, eight…”

Their too advanced and Hunt quickly aborts the start, advising Muller-Terhune to jibe around the pin and clear themselves. They’re not alone: Over the VHF, the race committee reports that all boats are over early, except Rowdy.

Once underway, the crew transition smoothly into their upwind mindset. The J/70 is notoriously tricky in variable conditions—underpowered in light air but requiring depowering as soon as the wind reach 8 to 10 knots, but Casting Couch’s collective experience has them dialed in to the speed they need.

“Take a deep breath and go fast,” Hunt encourage his skipper as they tack back on to starboard and regroup.

 “Little puff on,” says Turney, who is scanning the blue waters of Lake Michigan. The gusty northwesterly wind is blowing through Chicago’s concrete maze of buildings. “Little puff here in about three, two, one. Number is 040, 5.6 is the target.”

 The crew constantly communicates about the wind pressure and their positioning on the racecourse relative to other boats. “Rowdy crossing your bow right now,” Hunt reports as they make their way up short beat. “Not bad,” Hunt adds, satisfied with their position despite having done two extra tacks after the start. For this practice session, teams have agreed to 270-degree penalties for any OCS starts, rather than boats returning to the line to restart.

 Their upwind performance has them right back among the leaders—none of whom have done their penalty turns.

 Before they approach the windward mark, the tactical discussion shift to their downwind strategy.

 Just got a 10-degree header,” Hunt says as they reach the top of the course. “It’s probably a long bear-away set.”

 “Forty-five seconds each way,” Terhune says. “Maybe it lasts 30.”

“I think it’s winging conditions, so let’s wing pretty early in the run and just wing the whole time—kite on port,” Hunt calls.

As the bow passes the mark and Muller-Terhune turns downwind and the spinnaker fills with a crisp snap of sailcloth.

“Got a kite,” Turney says, after quickly pulling the halyard and taking the spinnaker sheet from Terhune. “Mine.”

“Stay low, winging main shortly,” Hunt says as they turn downwind.

The run presents a new set of challenges, given the J/70 wasn’t intentionally designed to be a boat that’s winged downwind. The perfect technique is next-level boathandling, requiring constant adjustment and communication between trimmer and helm.

Winging is a tactical sailing technique that allows the boat to sail directly toward the leeward mark with less sailed distance by having the jib or spinnaker out opposite the mainsail, avoiding the main’s wind shadow.

In light winds, winging is less effective due to insufficient sail pressure, and in heavy winds, transitioning to planing is typically better. The crossover isn’t always obvious. The technique requires a clear wind lane to ensure the sail remains stable.

The strategic use of winging involves making decisions based on constantly changing wind conditions, fleet positioning, and mark proximity. It’s essential to adapt quickly to changing winging angles and assess when to shift modes, such as during a lift or a header or positioning with other boats.

Practicing winging involves refining communication and timing within the crew to switch modes swiftly and effectively. When done right, winging opens up tactical opportunities like cutting corners at marks, forcing competitors into difficult positions, and maximizing speed toward downwind gates or finishes.

“Does it feel a little light to wing maybe?” Hunt asks Turney, considering their options. 

“Maybe it’s borderline winging. Yeah,” Turney agrees. “No lower Cate, going straight here.”

 Their refined teamwork and technique are on full display as they navigate the short run to the finish, with Hunt watching behind, calling out waves and pumping opportunities and then looking forward to the find the leeward marks.

 “See the gates? Probably 50-50,” he says, already planning their approach to the leeward gate even though they’re only halfway down the leg.

 “One little pump,” Turney calls, feeling a slight pull on the spinnaker sheet in his hand. “No higher than that Cate, and a wave here. Three, two, one, flatten and pump. Good angle there.”

 “Nice job,” Hunt replies.

 As they approach the leeward gate, they need to choose which mark to round and what the best approach will be. “OK, nice lane here,” Hunt observes. “High wing is probably best. High wing right now. Looking at the gates.”

 “Almost kicking a field goal,” Hunt says, referring to their position between the gate marks.

They continue their downwind run with fluid precision, constantly making small adjustments to waves, puffs and wind shifts. “Little righty here,” Turney tells Muller-Terhune, who responds with a small movement of the tiller extension laying in her lap.

 “The high wing mode looks pretty good here,” Hunt confirms.

Setting up for a jibe near the bottom of the course, Hunt takes over the spinnaker sheet from Turney, who will focus on jibing the mainsail. They quickly talk through it beforehand to ensure they’re in sync. The main comes across, Hunt trims the spinnaker to the new exit angle and the two of them call out in unison, as if finishing each other’s sentences: “Two-one, flatten…and pump…”

Another flawless jibe, and they finish overlapped with several other boats.

For this practice session, the gates serve as the finish line and Casting Couch glides across the line with the leaders. A solid comeback, and possibly a race win had the race winners done their 270s, Hunt suggests.

The outcome of this 15-minute practice race confirms why Casting Couch is one of the top teams in the ultra-competitive J/70 scene. The crew’s ability to read the conditions, make quick tactical decisions, and execute maneuvers with precision had put them in a strong position. It’s also proof, that while everyone will have an OCS or second-row start at some point, the best teams put the mistake behind them and focus on advancing one boat, one puff, one pump and one good call at a time.

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The Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta in Chicago captured the essence of competitive amateur sailing, featuring the impressive Melges 32 team of Jeremy Alexis and Jocelyn Saxon’s Fleetwood. On the waters of Lake Michigan and against the Chicago skyline, this team displayed its new chemistry and drive to perfection.

Their crew composition is diverse and tight-knit, with Jeremy introducing their weekend lineup: “We had Patrick Norris, Abby Brown, Jonathan Goldsberry, Benny Allen, Emery Williams and Josh Putnam.” The team’s approach is characterized by a quiet efficiency, with Jeremy highlighting that “everybody knows their jobs. They just got their jobs done, and everything was very smooth.”

As the speed machine in its nine-boat PHRF Spinnaker division (rating band), managing the fleet wasn’t so easy Saxon says: “We’re a really fast boat [PHRF 21], and it’s really hard to gauge where we are. It’s not one-design racing, which we’re used to.” This uncertainty added an extra layer of complexity to their fleet management.

Their boat handling in the weekend’s moderate winds was noteworthy. “We just really want to make sure we keep this crew together and continue to build the chemistry that we have,” Alexis says. This commitment to team development has been a key factor in their success.

The team’s performance was impressive, especially in lighter winds. “We do really well in light wind,” Saxon says. “Obviously, we’re a super light boat.”

While the team’s scoreline was perfect over eight races, the racing was closer than the scores would indicate Alexis says. “If we didn’t sail a perfect race, those C&C 115s were coming for us. They were knocking on the door the whole time. And that’s what kept us so focused.”

Looking forward, the team has ambitious plans. Alexis is hoping their win inspires others to consider the Melges 32 for PHRF racing. “They’re amazing boats.”

The team’s division win earned them a berth at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta’s Caribbean Championship in the BVIs in October. The win is a significant milestone for the team. The championship is “the most iconic thing that a non-pro sailor” could experience, Alexis says.

The team’s approach to sailing is a blend of technical skill, strategic thinking, and genuine enjoyment. Alexis says the team dynamic is what makes the Fleetwood squad what it is. The core team, Saxon says, “has come together really nicely. We all get along really well. Have a lot of fun.”

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If there’s a theme to be realized at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in Chicago, it is one of perfection, and we’re talking both the caliber of races over three days and that of perfect scorelines of a handful of teams that simply excelled in the weekend’s light to moderate winds.

Among the picket-fencers was Jeremy Alexis and Jocelyn Saxon’s team on the Melges 32 Fleetwood. In its nine-boat PHRF Spinnaker division, Fleetwood aced all eight of its races, a few of them by good margins. Multiple port-tack starts made it clear they were in to win it and tactician Johnny Goldsberry wasn’t afraid to call it.

“It was nice to have the fastest boat in the fleet and get ahead and sail our own race with starts like those,” says Alexis. “It was good for us to be able to stay in clear air while the C&C 115s battled it out among themselves.”

The win in Alexis’ home waters is a culmination of months improving the boat and the team, attending high-level regattas over the past few months.

“We did them all with mostly the same crew, which is pretty amazing and it’s great to come to our hometown and finally win one. We’ve been working with Quantum Sails and have a good code zero and staysails that are fast. We’ve also work with a couple of pros, which has been essential to getting the boat dialed in and sorted. We recognized here that our boathandling is definitely getting better.”

Alexis was thrilled with the event and happy to win the division, but more importantly the regatta’s overall winner title, which earns the Fleetwood crew a berth at the Caribbean Championship in the BVI in October. As the Chicago challenger, the team will face overall winners from the regatta series’ other regattas, as well as the defending champion. The racing will take place in Sunsail’s fleet of 41-foot charter boats.

“It was just fantastic racing,” is Alexis’ summary of the regatta. “Lake Michigan really delivered. As did the race committee. They kept it rolling and we had a lot of great fair racing. This is a good example where PHRF works. If we didn’t sail a perfect race those C&C 115s were coming for us. They were knocking on the door the whole time. And that’s what kept us so focused and making sure that, you know, every corner was good, every tack was good.”

Saxon has raced the Helly Hansen Regatta (nee-NOOD) as many as 15 times and says she’s been eager to win the overall title. “To actually get to go the BVI is so exciting as an amateur racer,” she says. “And fortunately for us, we’re a little bit familiar with heavy boats. We’ve chartered a J/109 here in Chicago for the last few seasons just to do one-design racing, so I think we’re going to be pretty good in the BVI.”

On the third and final day, with the promise of wind, the regatta’s ORC and PHRF distance racers were dispatched on 14 and 12-mile races, respectively. With wind holding steady at sub 8-knots, it was indeed a day for slippery boats of the fleet, including Jeffrey Davis’ J/111 Shamrock, which won its second race of the weekend.

ORC2 honors went to David Baker’s Handsome Pete, a Beneteau First 10R, after winning today’s race and thereby winning a tiebreak over George Jackowiec’s Tartan 10 Out of the Blue.

In the PHRF 1 Distance Race, Bryan Sims’ Custom Perry 58, Suspect, won the day’s race, but Tomek Kokocinski’s Koko Loco, a Beneteau 39, finished second to win the class outright. John Notch’s Baltic 35, Exeter, won its second race to sweep the PHRF distance division.

The small boats of the regatta, tucked closer to shore off Montrose Harbor, enjoyed a full series of races for ILCA 6 and 7 sailors. Roman Plutenko was top ILCA 7, and Emilio Bocanegra Lopez went undefeated in the ILCA 6. Macatawa Bay YC’s junior racing team, with Lucas Nykamp on the helm, came on strong on the final day to win Youth Keelboat Invitational title. Macatawa’s team also won SWRS invitational in Detroit a week earlier.

The J/109 and J/88 classes sailed for their Great Lakes Championships, and for the 109s it was Evan Jahn’s Team Tumbler that won the regatta with only 3 points on its rivals on Jim Caesar’s Liquid Lounge 2. The racing was tight until the end, with each of these two teams winning a race on the final day.

Lindsay Duda and her teammates on the J/88 Sin Duda won five of eight races to secure its Great Lakes Championship by 6 points, a spread that doesn’t fairly reflect the tight racing of this fleet all weekened—and all winter for that matter.

“The last three days were great racing,” Duda says. “Everyone was in the mix. We’ve brought in a new tactician [Hector Guzman], so Annapolis [Helly Hansen Regatta in May] was our first time as a team. We’re learning to communicate and get through maneuvers, and this weekend we really starting to gel. Clean maneuvers, smart tactics and clear air really helped us get out front.”

Their rivals on second-placed Piranha was 5 points behind and a constant threat Duda says. “They are so fast, and they were right there the whole time.”

Craig Roehl and Edward Mui went 2-1 for a 16-point win in the Tartan 10 class and Cate Muller-Terhune’s team on Casting Couch close out an incredible regatta with a lead so large they were able to sit out the last race in the J/70 series. Richard Witzel’s Rowdy was runner up and Bob Willis’ Rip Rullah was the top Corinthian. Eva Wilson’s Convergence was the fleet’s top Mixed-Plus team.

As a display of the competitiveness of Chicago’s Beneteau 36.7 fleet, the race committee rolled through three general recalls until getting a fourth start off for the final race today. Out of the scrum emerged Jarrett Altmin’s Soulshine, which broke a mainsail halyard in the day’s first race and rebounded with another win in the nine-race series.

Overnight leaders in the J/105s, Clark Pellet’s Sealark, which was helmed by Pellet’s friend, David Brown, won the final race to lock the J/105s series handily. Brown praised the team, especially his MVP, Russ Radke. “

“Russ is the biggest reason for our success this weekend,” Brown says. “He’s the tactician, main sheet trimmer, rig tuner, and crew coordinator, giving all crew maneuver commands. Russ’s eyes and constant feedback made it incredibly easy for me to just drive and concentrate on speed. Clark has a fantastic crew all around, especially Russ. He’s the hero.”

With the conclusion of the 35th edition of the Chicago the series continues next in Marblehead, Massachusetts in July, and the Caribbean Championship with Sunsail in October.

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