Written by Dan Tucker

The 2008 Coastal Living Newport Regatta was a blast for the Viper Sailors

The other sportboats in Division 4 had fun as well! Eight Vipers traveled to Newport for a sportboat fest. We shared a line with the RS K6’s, Laser SB3’s, 5o5’s and Nacra 17’s. We were joined by an Open 5.70 as well.

The weather was sunny & gorgeous both days, with Sunday being the breezier day -sustained wind @ 20 knots with some gusts to 25 according to SailFlow. Downwind boatspeeds were in the mid-teens, it was exciting Viper sailing! Saturday was a nice warmup with 10-12 knots.

Class President Justin Scott sailed strongly to an early points lead, which he held throughout the weekend, winning with 18 points over 10 races (with one throwout). Second was Charles Goodrich of Rowayton, CT (middle crew, above) on El Toro, third was Dan Tucker on Rattler, sailing with Kevin Denien and Jane Derderian.

Sail Newport has been running this regatta for 25 years now, and it shows! The race management on the water was fantastic, as always. We had six 4 mile races on Saturday and 4 on Sunday, without a misstep by the RC. The Sail Newport facility is peerless, and the parties under the tent were great.

Newport and Narragansett Bay are fantastic places to visit and race. Let’s have a big Viper 640 turnout at this regatta in 2009!

Complete results are here.
Last Updated ( Monday, 21 July 2008 )