by Paul LaflammeThe Sperry Top-Siders NOOD Regatta at Marblehead, Mass. is one in a series of nine regattas put on by Sperry Top-Siders and Sailing World Magazine around the USA and sometimes Canada. The Marblehead NOOD Regatta, offers a picturesque venue, top notch sailors in 12 different one design classes and hospitality rivaled only by HYC. Representing HYC this year was Still Lostboys CAN 321 in the International Etchells class, skippered by Paul Laflamme with crew members Mark Perry & Claude Taillon. The trip down was uneventful as was raising the mast and the launch.
The first day for scheduled racing was Friday, July 24, however is was not to be as a North Easter blew in, which created gnarly conditions out on the race course. While watching the weather station at the Eastern Yacht Club the wind was a constant 35 knots with gusts up to 46 knots. Needless to say the right decision was made when at noon: the official word came from the PRO, "No racing, done for the day."
Saturday, was a different story, the skies had cleared and winds were light at the start (5-6 knots) and shifty, the seas had a smooth swells in the 2-3 foot range. As the day progressed the wind picked up to a steady 10 knots and less shifty, however the currents increased by the previous day's storm and the receding rainwater presented the biggest challenge to all the classes. The number of marks touched by boats misjudging the strength of the current created a ballet of pirouettes. Fortunately, yours truly was not one of them. The day ended with 3 races completed and Still Lostboys fighting for respect near the back of the fleet, (16th out of 18 boats). We had our work cut out for us if we were going improve on our performance.
The forecast for Sunday wasn't too promising but I guess the sailing gods were with us as the rain held off and the winds started at about 10 knots and moved to about 14 by the day's end. 2 Races were held (no starts after 2:30 pm) and we managed a 9th in our last race which helped us improve to a finish of 13th overall.
The Etchells class was won by Rob Hitchcock, Greg Hefler and Kent Paisley, who are no strangers to HYC, as they have been up here for the Canadian Etchells Championship. They pass along their regards and can't wait to get back here! The Marblehead event was superbly run from all aspects, race management, hospitality and facilities were top notch, Now I know how visiting sailors feel when they come to HYC.
In closing I just want to say that if you haven't raced in an outside regatta (especially a one design regatta) you should really try it sometime, the competition will make you a better sailor and they are a lot of fun. Even if you don't own a boat, skippers are often looking for crew, give it a try you won't be disappointed!
To see the full results, click on http://www.sailingworld.com/nood-regattas/marblehead-ma/2009-sperry-top-sider-marblehead-nood-regatta---final-results-1000074938.html
