Shifty Winds and Rain Make for Tricky Conditions on Day One
The first day of the Aspen Viper 640 International Championship sponsored by EFG proved to be a bit soggy for the 42 Viper 640 sportsboats that have arrived here from around the world. As the sailors gathered for race briefing, the first line of rain showers swept across Hamilton, Bermuda. Sailing out to the start, the westerly wind soon turned to a southerly with gusts up to 20-knots, only to dissipate by repeated lines of rain crossing the Sound.
Hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, this International Regatta is also the Viper 640 North American Championship.
Even with winds shifting through 150 degrees and ranging from 3-12 knots, PRO Hank Stuart and his team managed to start the first race of the regatta on time that saw Zeke Horowitz (Annapolis, MD), sailing with Brendan Healey and Ian Coleman, take the lead at the first mark and hold that to the finish. Two races were run before the wind (and rain) died out and Zeke proved to be the most consistent competitor, winning the second race.
In second overall, with eight points, is Justin Scott (Great Britain via Darien, CT) sailing with Rob Crane and Trevor Burd with a 2-6 scoreline. Tied for third with 13 points are Geoff Fargo (Santa Barbara, CA), sailing with Jeff Grange and Spencer Steffan, and Bruce Mattinson (Albany, WA, Australia) with Arlyn Mattinson, Ben Marler, and Keith Swinton as crew.
Full results HERE
Perhaps, the real story of this first Viper International Championship is the large number of competitors who have made the shipment their boats to this inaugural event and the friendliness of the Viper competitors. Today that was certainly showcased with lots of laughter between racing despite the continuous bands of rain. Sarasota sailor Mike Meighan explained, “Today is not what we expected weather-wise. Everybody was playing nice, it’s a great class for that. I think we just try and keep it on the water, everybody is here for the right reason.”
Day 2 of the Aspen Viper 640 International Championship is scheduled for Thursday 17th. Early winds are predicted to be in excess of 30 knots and will moderate later with…wait for it…more rain.
Follow all racing in real time and see regatta photos at https://www.facebook.com/2016Viper640InternationalChampionship/?fref=ts with daily recaps at www.viper640.org
For more information contact Viper 640 Class Association Administrator Ed “Buttons” Padin (epadin@padesta.com) or Rondar Raceboats’ Dan Tucker (dan@rondarboats.com). For more information about the Aspen Viper 640 International Championship presented by EFG contact event chair Doug De Couto (decouto@alum.mit.edu) or Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Somers Kempe (somers@mahoganyreef.com).
www.rondarboats.com
www.viper640.org
