MATT COHEN REGATTA PHOTOS
Newport Delivers "Howl" for Halloween Regatta
Regatta Report - October 25
The 2009 Halloween Howl was truly a weekend for only hardy New England youth sailors! Saturday’s “howling" wind from the south switched to a moderate northerly for Sunday, and slowly diminished as the air temperature rose in the early afternoon.
Once again, the RC did not disappoint, giving a full racing day to both fleets: the 34 Optis had three additional races, while the 14 Club 420s completed four races before the wind and time limit expired. These were full, two lap, 30-minute races, and with a mix of triangle and windward/leeward courses, the best sailors were able to shine. Each fleet had a separate windward mark.
The Opti fleet continued to impress with stellar starts and only a handful of individual recalls. The Club 420s, perhaps having excess energy not expended by sailing in Saturday’s conditions, had a few boats that didn’t quite wait for the start horn to begin making their way to the weather mark. Overall, both fleets started and sailed very well and the experience and coaching over the past season showed on the water at this event.
The Opti overall fleet winners included in first to third place included William Marshall (Newton, MA), Carter Pemberton (Osterville, MA) and Hugh MacGillivray (Portsmouth, RI).
Grace Adam (East Greenwich, RI) conquered as the top girl in the regatta.
Individual fleet winners included Opti Blue Fleet winner William Marshall (Newton, MA), Opti Red Champion Hugh MacGillivray (Portsmouth, RI) and Henry Marshall (Newton, MA) who captured the White Fleet first place trophy.
In the Club 420 Class, Sean Golden (Duxbury, MA), with crew Doyle Calhoun, dominated the day with a remarkable "picket fence" of all first place wins and a low total score of 4. A talented group of Club 420 sailors came from Marion, MA and took home the next two places. Cam Tougis and Kaitline Denney finished second. Also from Marion, Will Godfrey and Riley Calhoun captured third place.
Lulu Russell from Marion, MA sailed well on Sunday, and was awarded a special Perseverance Award by the OA and RC for her impressive attitude on Saturday.
The Halloween costume winners were: Curtis Adam for "Best Costume and most Holiday Spirit." And Hailey Pemberton, sister of competitors, won an award for her festive outfit.
We are looking forward to scaring you with more racing at the 2010 Halloween Howl. Be here!
Regatta Report - Day 1, October 24
Today was a “thriller” for the fleet of Optis racing on day one of the 2009 Halloween Howl. The strong fall southerly breeze never clocked below 14 knots and reached a steady 24 knots over the afternoon. Gusts over 28 knots were reported in the last race of the day.
Newport Harbor has only a few boats left as most vessels are hauled and hibernating for the winter. No so for the hardy Opti sailors grabbing one last regatta of the season. The diminutive boats speckled the area between Rose and Goat Islands for four races.
The first race today was a windward/leeward-twice around which was a long 45-minute race in the brisk conditions. The reminding races were sailed on a triangle course in under 30 minutes each.
Blue-fleeter William Marshall (Newton, MA) roared around the race course today with 3-2-1-2 finishes. He holds first place overall in the regatta and first place in the Blue Fleet with a remarkably low 8 points total.
Only four points behind Marshall, however, Carter Rose is sailing very strongly with 1-3-7-1 finishes and 12 points overall. Rose also leads the Red Division but Grace Adam is hunting the Red Fleet Trophy close on his stern with only three points between them.
Adam finished 2-1-5-7 with 15 total points today solidifying her position going into tomorrow in second place in the Red Fleet and Fourth Place overall in the regatta.
Adam not only has to look ahead, but carefully behind as well as Jack Marshall of Newton, Ma is only one point behind her in the Red Fleet after a 4-5-3-4 (16).
Carter Pemberton of Osterville, MA has the top overall slot in his focus too after all single-digit finishes today. Pemberton posted 5-4-2-3 (14) to place him in second place in the Blue Fleet and only 4 points behind Marshall for the overall win.
Newport sailor Jason Davis is leading the White Fleet by a comfortable 13 points. Henry Marshall of Newton MA, in second place in the Fleet, added a hefty 35-points to his 7-12-12 score with a last race DNF today. But, he likes heavy breezesn and with consistent sailing tomorrow combined with a drop race shaving off the 35 points from race four, he could capture first place. Ted Bjerregaard from Bristol, had a consistent day even with a fourth race DNF, he is close behind Marshall and in contention for a trophy.
Lulu Russell from Marion, MA captured the respect and admiration of the RC, coaches and support boats. As one of the youngest sailors in the fleet, Lulu started every race and persevered on the water all day long, battling the big waves and breeze. Watch out for Lulu tomorrow and next year!
Optis will continue racing tomorrow and after completing one more race, the drop is sure to resort the fleet dramatically.
Club 420s will also launch tomorrow for a one-day contest with a dozen boats.
INVITED CLASSES:
One circle of racing for:
Opti White, Blue and Red - Race Two Days- Same Start
Club 420 - Race Sunday Only
REGATTA SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY, OCT. 24
0800-0900 Opti Check-in only
0930 Opti Skippers' Meeting (Mandatory)
0945 Support Boat and Coaches Meeting (Mandatory)
1000 Harbor Start
1100 First Warning
After Racing: Refreshments
SUNDAY, OCT. 25
0800-0900 Club 420 Check-in
0930 Skippers' Meeting - All Classes(Mandatory)
0945 Support Boat and Coaches Meeting (Mandatory)
1000 Harbor Start
1100 First Warning
1430 No race will be started after this time
After Racing: Refreshments and Awards
For More Information Contact:
Kim Cooper
Sail Newport, Telephone (401) 846.1983
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09 HH SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
09 HH Notice of Race
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