Maximizing the northern sailing season before the migration south to Sarasota for the winter, the Viper fleet found its way to Hampton YC this past weekend to mix it up in the Hampton Fall Fling. In champagne to windy conditions over three days, the 9 boat fleet, which consisted of sailors of all ages and experience engaged in close, tactical racing out on the Hampton Flats.

Evil Hiss

The winners on the weekend, sailing their new boat Evil Hiss, were class veterans Mary and Geoff Ewenson sailing with their friends, and newbie Viperers, Dave Armitage and Erica Conway.  Through good tactics and teamwork when it mattered, they edged out Meow!, which was sailed by Cole Constantineau, Dave Nickerson, and Marcelo Pereira (maybe we call the boat Mo Patched Up Grins right Meow!). Rounding out the podium was Vapor Trails, piloted by Mark Wheeler, Jeremiah (Miah) Dull, and Annie Eckmann.

Meow!

The deciding moment of the regatta most likely came during race 6.  After Meow! had started the day with two bullets to tie the score line of Evil Hiss, a classic Viper drag race down the left-hand side of the course ensued.  Tight boat handling saw Evil Hiss, Meow!, and Vapor Trails trading positions the whole way.  Ultimately boat positioning and good crew work allowed Evil Hiss to emerge from the group (all finishing within 2 seconds of one another), cementing the regatta win!

Both days saw excellent Viper conditions. The fleet scorched around the course, hitting speeds of 15 knots with ease, treating many new Viper sailors to pitch perfect conditions to experience the boat. The Hampton fleet clearly was enjoying the racing. Team Rooster had the entire family out on the water during the two days, Tyler and Jane Moore got in some good family time with their three children (Sarah, Charlie, and Parker, ages 7-11). The kids clearly feel comfortable in the

Vapor Trails

boat—one of Sarah’s favorite places to hang out when the boat is planing downwind is in the spinnaker retrieval hole—without the kite there, there’s more room for her legs! The rest of the fleet had an equal amount of fun out on the race course—the grins after sailing on Saturday didn’t fade as the fleet made its way to the legendary Hampton YC Oyster roast over open fires nor as the teams packed up on Sunday afternoon, making plans for the next Viper event as the fall sun dipped towards the horizon.

Hampton once again showed how to put on a fun, easy, and down-to-earth weekend of racing; if you have time on your calendar in 2019 for the Fall Fling, it is certainly worth travelling to!

The beautiful Hampton Flats

Full Results Here.

Next up is Sarasota event #1 on December 15th and 16th!