In today’s Snake Bytes:
WORDS FROM A PREZ
I am pleased to announce that the Viper 640 Class is now firmly established in
Europe. Thanks to the hard work of Heather Chipperfield, One Sails’ Peter Bresnan and, of course, Paul Young of Rondar Raceboats, we now have a fleet of 12 Vipers sailing in the 5-event Palma Viper Circuit. With three events under our belt at this point, including an amazing showing at the high-profile Princess Sofia Regatta at the end of March, the Viper has truly become a European boat with more events and new boats to come.
Those familiar with Palma know that the sailing in and around this Mediterranean island is exceptional. The Vipers have been sailing in the same waters as mega yachts and Olympic classes. Some of the best sailors in the world are in Palma during the winter, and scores of them have taken the opportunity to race our sportboat. To a person (and there have been lots of women and juniors included), the reaction to the Viper 640 has been the same that those of us with years in the Class have experienced: fast, fun, easy to sail. I’m also pleased to announce that the European Viper Class ethos and personality (fun folks sailing competitively on the water and playing hard ashore) has manifested itself in Palma.
Look for more information on the growth of the Viper 640 Class in Europe, and, if anyone is interested in coming to Palma to sail a Viper, contact Peter Bresnan at peter@onepalma.net.
Here’s to continued Viper growth in Europe,
Ian Nicholson
European Regional President
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REGATTA RECAPS
A small but spirited fleet of eight Vipers battled for the 2019 Atlantic Coast Championship sailed as part of 2019 Charleston Race Week, April 12-14. Some of the fleet chose to launch from the dedicated Viper launch and haul location at Hobcaw Yacht Club in Mt. Pleasant. Others chose to take advantage of the hoist at Charleston Yacht Club in downtown Charleston and sail over to the regatta location at Patriots Point Marina from there.
Friday morning the fleet departed from the shelter of the College of Charleston Sailing Center at Patriots Point. It was a quick sail out to Circle 1 located off the point of the Charleston peninsula at the intersection of the Ashley River and Charleston harbor. Under partly sunny skies, temps in the low 70s, a building SE breeze, and a challenging ebb tide, sailing was great.
The West Coast team on CHANCE V led by Kevin McCarthy felt right at home in Charleston Harbor romping to a 1,1,3,1 score line on Day 1 to take an early lead over a skilled, but new team on NESS, with the hard charging ENTOURAGE (Nick Amendola) and CHOPPY SEAS (Tom Loutrel) teams close behind.
READ MORE
RESULTS
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2019 World Championship Update – August 17-24
The fleet is growing with over three months until the first race. Thirty-seven Vipers from (yes, really) around the world have registered. In addition to the usual suspects from North America, there are three crews coming in from South Africa and reigning World Champion Nick Jerwood and crew from Perth, Western Australia will be back to defend their title.
Importantly, if you’re still on the fence about sailing in the Worlds, it’s time to get down on the west side of the fence and register today. Tim Carter and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club have planned an epic week of sailing for us; and don’t forget the Pacific Coast Championship the week before up in Santa Barbara that will remind you how great it is to sail in the Pacific waters.
Wait…did I forget to mention that Goslings Rum will be there as the main sponsor. You know what that means: added fun and festivities ashore. Don’t find yourself regretting not going to the 2019 Viper Worlds because you got stuck on the fence. Make the decision, get your crew together, and register HERE.
Want to see what else you can do while in SoCal before, during, and after the regatta, click HERE.
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Two North American Championships Awarded
During its April meeting, the North American Executive Committee voted in favor of two yacht club proposals to host upcoming North American Championships. The 2020 NAs were awarded to Noroton Yacht Club, Darien, CT. Class International Chairman Justin Scott will be the event chair for the LiveTiles Viper North American Championship. This is an encore for his team’s excellent execution of the 2018 New England Championship. The 2020 North American’s will be held.png)
October 15-19, 2020, so mark your calendars now. BTW, title sponsor LiveTiles is a leading intel-ligence workplace software solutions company about which you can learn more HERE.
The Viper fleet will be going south again as Gulfport Yacht Club, Gulfport, MS, will host the 2021 Viper NAs and, importantly, the first Viper 640 Junior North American Championship. Led by Sam Vasquez, Gulfport promises to deliver the southern hospitality we so enjoyed at the 2017 NAs at Ft. Walton Beach Yacht Club. The date for Championship is still being finalized so look for more information coming in the near future.
Read more about these two Championships HERE.
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UPCOMING REGATTAS
Helly Hansen Annapolis NOOD
May 3-5, 2019
Eastport Yacht Club
Annapolis, MD
This was the largest regatta in terms of number of boats in the USA in 2018 and the only NOOD regatta left that can still claim to be a one-design event. The Viper fleet is the hot new boat in town and the Eastport Yacht Club is going above-and-beyond to be hospitable to local and out-of-town Viper sailors. The EYC membership has been welcoming and loves being home to half of the vipers in Annapolis. Annapolis in the springtime is a great place to sail. We typically have solid breeze in May, and the race course is just a short 20 min sail from the docks. There isn’t much to gripe about when the sailing is this simple.
Information and online registration HERE.
There are two great events in Annapolis in May with free storage in between. What could be better???
Viper Mid-Atlantic Championship
May 18-19
Eastport Yacht Club
Annapolis, MD
Following the success of the Viper East Coast Championship last year, EYC will host a stand-alone Viper event two weeks after the NOOD. There will be free storage of Vipers between the events. A stand-alone event means we get a dedicated race committee and likely more races per day. EYC is the local home of the Vipers in Annapolis, and the Club is looking forward to showing all a good time. The Saturday dinner will be hosted at Geoff and Mary Ewenson’s place. Come for dinner, cake and beer, and wear out their new puppy so they get more sleep at night!
Two solid days of racing at the mouth of the Severn River. Good breeze, good competition and great hospitality. What more could anyone ask for. Please let us know if we can do anything to help you bring it all together for Annapolis! Geoff Ewenson, 410-320-2805, Geoff@ewensonsailing.com
Information and online registration HERE.
Cabrillo Beach Spring
One-design Regatta
Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club
San Pedro, CA
Information and online registration HERE.
Viper New England Championship
June 29-30, 2019
Boston Yacht Club
Marblehead, MA
In just two short months, the New England Championship will kick off in Marblehead. There are already 13 boats registered and we are looking forward to some excellent ocean racing in the Atlantic! Hosted by the Marblehead Fleet and the Boston Yacht Club, we’ll have a dinner for the class Saturday night and hope to see you there. Discounted hotel rooms are still available.
Registration and regatta information HERE.
Bayview Yacht Club One-design Regatta
May 31-June 2, 2019
Bayview Yacht Club
Detroit, MI
A great, annual Great Lakes regatta. Bayview YC hosts epic events. Information and online registration HERE.
Cdre. Juby Wynne Memorial One Design Regatta
May 25-26
Southern Yacht Club
New Orleans, LA
Lake Pontchartrain’s Largest One Design Regatta. Registration is now open and available online via Regatta Network.
Information and online registration HERE.
Larchmont Memorial Day Regatta – WLIS Circuit #1
May 25-26, 2019
Larchmont Yacht Club
Larchmont NY
Information and online registration will be available HERE.
Southern Bay Race Week
May 30-June 2, 2019
Hampton Yacht Club
Hampton, VA
This is the weekend AFTER Memorial Day Weekend. Opening Night Welcome is Thursday May 30th with racing, parties, and awards on Friday May 31, Saturday June 1st, and Sunday June 2. SBRW Early Bird entry rate expires TOMORROW, April 30th (deduct $15 and also receive 10 free regatta drink tickets).
Information and online registration HERE. Questions, please contact Lin McCarthy at 757-850-4225 or mcbear@earthlink.net.
Information and online registration HERE.
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Questions or comments?
Have a something to share? Have a question or comment? How about a great Viper photo? Contact Viper 640 Class Administrator Ed “Buttons” Padin at epadin@padesta.com.
