Fall can be a great time of year for an end-of-season regatta, and the competition at the recent Etchells New Englands (Oct. 6-8) was ready for the challenge. Hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club, this coveted event saw the overall win go to Canadian Andrew Macrae and his team (Can1501 Cruel Jane) with 14 points.
The regatta served up a full banquet of conditions from light to medium breezes and easterly swells, turning into one of the wettest races over the three days, not from rain but from swells and choppy seas.
Macrae had gone into the final race on Sunday tied in points with Scott Kaufman (USA1419 Rebel). In a hard-fought final race on Sunday, Macrae got his fourth bullet of the regatta and Kaufman finished third with 16 points giving the decisive win to the Canadians. They were followed in first with one more bullet. Marvin Beckmann and his team on USA 1515 The Martian were very much in the hunt for the entire series and finished third. Also, a hard-fought fourth place finish went to Marblehead native Jud Smith and team on USA1177 Bob with 27 points.
COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE
It was tough going with fog on Friday and Saturday and variable conditions throughout, testing the patience of the crews while also showing how the top teams made it appear easier than it was. Sunday’s westerly knocked down some of the easterly swell that had kicked up over the previous days and simultaneously provided some lively and shifty conditions. Once again, the faster boats made it look easy but it was a challenge for all.
As a newer member of the Etchells Fleet, Marblehead sailors Jim Da Silva and Ron Homa performed well placing ninth overall. They are owners of a pre-owned Etchells and received a lot of help from Tomas Hornos and Jud Smith at the Doyle Salem Loft, as well as from the other owners within the local Fleet 4. Marblehead’s Ramsay Key and his team on 1126, placed eighth and finished as the Top Corinthian for the event.
Co-chairs Paul McLaughlin and Michael Jobin provided visiting sailors with a nice prelude to next October’s 2024 Etchells North Americans.
On the water, Ken and Julia Adam and their race committee team of volunteers organized three days of solid racing, were attentive to adjusting the courses as needed and were complemented by an attentive waterfront and staff of the CYC.
For full race results, click HERE.
Jim Da Silva contributed to this report.
