 @ Matias Capizzano
After a great turnout in 2008 - including a number of top Canadians, mid-westerners and New Englanders - 2009 was disappointing - only six boats and only one - John and Kathy Morgan - from out-of-town. But it did include what are probably the top two American crews - helmed by Stu Walker and Peter Gleitz - who dueled throughout the three races that were sailed.
Friday and Saturday were abandoned (too few, inadequately prepared boats and too much wind - gusts to 35) so that the series was restricted to Sunday and a dying northwesterly. In the first race Peter made the perfect, luffing up to the committee boat start in a big veer of the oscillating 16 knot northwesterly, held on in that veer to cross the fleet in the subsequent back - and escaped - to win easily - while Stu, forced to a late start and an immediate tack away from the shift to come, could never catch up. Henry Thomas , who was able to start on Peter`s hip could not hold Stu, but easily beat Joe Van Gieson and John Morgan.
To win a three race series it was obvious that Stu had to beat Peter in both the remaining races - both of which were conducted in a patchy offshore flow that had diminished to 4-8 knots and - in the finale - was met near the leeward mark with a easterly local sea breeze! Stu started on Peter`s leebow in both races, pulled away, tacked to cover and, by reaching the stronger near-windward-shore flow sooner, marched away to big leads and easy victories. In the second race Henry was again third with John Morgan fourth. In the finale near the leeward mark Peter stuck in the calm between the two winds, while Joe regained the new wind and broke away to an easy second (Henry third and John fifth).
Henry`s consistent finishes - 3-3-3! - earned him series third! (It`s nice to see justice done!)
Complete results at:
www.soling.com/results/ShowResults.asp?ID=568
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