September 17, 2015

Larchmont, NY

Day Three of the 2015 Viper 640 North American Championship, hosted by the Larchmont Yacht Club, was another day of sailing for the record books. The winds started to build as the sailors arrived early in the morning with temperatures in the high 40s. The dress code for the day was “more layers” as the forecast was for winds in the high teens to low 20s with temperatures only in the low 50s.

LYC PRO Charles “Butch” Ulmer ran three exciting and challenging races before significant wind shifts in the afternoon ended the day’s sailing. Regardless, “I believe everyone got his share of sailing today,” said Ulmer, as downwind boat speeds were frequently well above 15 knots in the puffs.

It was an up and down and up day for Day Two leaders and 4-time Viper North American Champion Brad Boston (Sarnia, ON) sailing with Curtis Florence and Luke Lawrence, with finishes of 1-19-1. With the 19 as a throw-out, Boston managed to retain the lead with a 10-point cushion going into the final day over 2015 Viper Atlantic Coast champ Tom Loutrel (Charleston, SC) sailing with John Bowden and Karl Schutte. Another 11 points behind Loutrel are Cardwell and Jennifer Potts sailing with Ted Ferrarone and Kendra Emhiser and Australian David Chapman who is tied in points with Potts.

Brad Boston’s JACKPOT #235 – Photo: Howard McMichael from mark boat PUFF

For Larchmont Yacht Club, this 53-boat North American Championship is not the club’s “first rodeo.” That being said, LYC’s Race Committee and Protest Committee have seen it all but for LYC’s Jury Chair, renowned International Judge Mary Savage this may have been a first. On Day One there was only redress request to be heard, and, through 10 races with a 50+ boat fleet there has not been a single protest to be heard. Savage’s comment to one of the event chairs was, “This is certainly a civilized group of competitors — quite amazing.” Welcome, Mary to the Viper 640 community.

Two years in the planning, the 2015 Viper 640 North American’s is the largest Viper regatta to date and the largest sport boat championship in North America this year. When asked how the event is stacking up to his expectations, Event Chairman Peter Beardsley said, “With planing conditions in two of three dates so far, here in Larchmont the “wind capital of the northeast” (said tongue in cheek), I’m really glad we’re giving the sailors an exciting and competitive series.” Beardsley worked hard to make the event as large, as competitive, and as well-run as it is and the competitors are extremely grateful for his contributions.

The final day of racing is set for tomorrow and, although Boston has a 10-point lead going into the day, with a fleet as large and as competitive as this one, anything is likely to happen before the racing is over.

The Viper 640 North American Championship is a qualifier regatta for the EFG Viper Pan-American Championship. Also helping make this regatta a success are PwC, Bell’s Beer, Flintlock Construction, Gubinelli Wines, Rondar Raceboats, Doyle Sailmakers, Gulf Performance Sailing, North Sails, UK Sailmakers, Sail22, APS, Landfall Navigation, and JCD.

Results: http://yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=1518