US National Championships 2012

11 October 2012

Pat Crump and Jane Millican have recaptured the US Championship after sailing a nearly perfect regatta at the American Yacht Club as part of the Heineken High Performance Dinghy Open (HPDO). Rob Levy and Jon Driver finished second followed by Stephen Waldie and Nicola Mocchiutti.

Saturday saw close racing in 15 to 18 knots in relatively stable air until Race 4. After a significant shift to the right the RC opted to send the fleet off on a W/L course. The race was abandoned at the "weather" mark because the fleet had sailed to the gybe mark intended for subsequent classes. Race 4B produced a similar error as the fleet followed the leader again to a gybe mark. However the lack of an offset mark allowed most of the fleet to quickly realize their error and sail to the correct mark.

Sunday was forecast to be cold, wet and light air. Sailing out to the course it wasn't raining and the wind was stronger than forecast. However after one race was completed the wind began to die. Race 6 was completed despite a 140 degree shift that had boats beating to the leeward mark and trying to fly kites going to the windward mark against leftover chop with a dying breeze. With the wind gone, rain falling and a lot of cold sailors, racing was called for the day.

As usual the American Yacht Club hosted a great event. The hospitality of AYC members in opening their homes and billeting sailors is outstanding. Great Racing, Great Friends and Great Beer by Heineken....the perfect recipe.

 Results