Competitive sailors like to race hard and have fun doing it and that sums up the fourth annual Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race fundraiser for Lindsay Smith held Sunday, which featured 28 boats in two classes with all in agreement that the pursuit race format really levels the playing field.
With boats ranging in length from 19 to 55 feet, the competitors crossed the finish line quite close to one another after staggered starts had the slowest and smaller boats starting first. The 7-mile course slightly favored the lighter boats who could make gains over the course. However, the conditions were cooperative so the fleet got every point of sail, plus the bonus of having heavy fog lift just before the start, which then dropped down again after the race finished.
It also featured many generations on board who came not only for the competition but for the camaraderie they share with Lindsay Smith and the Smith family. The entry fees and any money raised at the event goes toward Lindsay Smith’s ongoing recovery.
Smith is the daughter of Jud and Cindy Smith of Marblehead. Jud Smith is a 10-time world champion and two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year sailmaker at Doyle Sails in Salem, where Lindsay also works. Lindsay needs continual physical therapy as she works her way back from a catastrophic event three years ago when she was shot in the head three times by her ex-boyfriend. She initially recovered from that but had initial setbacks including a stroke. Yet, her physical therapy at Project Work Boston means she is much stronger now and was on board the Farr 44 Africa B Squad with her fiancée Kenny Harvey, parents, friends and teammates.
The fundraiser helps to cover the costs of that therapy which is not covered by insurance.
“This boat was created originally for a handicapped guy who could get around on it, so I was able to use many of the features of that and really enjoyed the racing,” Lindsay Smith said. “It is heartwarming that so many boats signed up and it inspires me to keep making progress. When I realize that at our first Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race, I was in a wheelchair I can see how far I have come.”
Her father, Jud, agreed that the support for the event makes this competition special for them and added that several competitors paid to register even though they did not race.
“They signed up to support the cause which means a lot,” said Jud Smith who thought the conditions were great for this kind of racing. “The skies cleared, and I must take my hats off to the race committee as the fog was initially thick and we thought they would postpone. But the minute it lifted, they got the race going. Then, the breeze really came in nicely and we had some great wind, which did favor the smaller boats who got a lane and really powered through. There is definitely competition out there when we race, but it is the camaraderie and support that means so much to us”
Bill Lynn of Marblehead who placed fifth in his J/70 Key Player in the spinnaker class, really enjoys the fact that on the day of the race, with a pursuit race format, sailors are given the time that their boat is meant to start well ahead of time. And they’re given the racecourse at the same time.
“It was close racing, and, in our fleet, the top two boats finished extremely close together,” Lynn said.
Bruce Durkee of Marblehead added, “The real goal of the pursuit race is to get more racers and cruisers onto the racecourse. For those who get a bit intimidated by starts, can really gain experience with a pursuit race. Overall, it is challenging for the race committee to run but on all accounts once the visibility improved as the fog lifted, conditions were great.”
Jack Cochrane, the principal race officer for the Eastern Yacht Club event, said, “It was a double header as it was great to be on the water and it was great to contribute to the recovery of our dear friend Lindsay Smith.”
The top five finishers in the two classes are as follows:
Jib and Main Class
1. Peter Engel, Jeanneau 37 Goldeneye; Dolphin Yacht Club
2. Mark Luckes, Swann 44 Anna P.; Corinthian YC
3. Allen Breed, Farr 30 Indra; Boston YC
4. Angus MacCaulay, Taylor 38 Eos; Savin Hill YC
5. Frank McNamara, J/35 Ramble On; Eastern YC
Spinnaker Class
1. Dave Alexander, Arcona 430 Pressure Drop; Constitution YC
2. Dan Rabin, Salona 33 Virgo,; Jubilee YC
3. Dan Poroanski, S2 7.9 Maniac; Jubilee YC
4. Jud Smith, Farr 44 ;Africa B Squad; Eastern YC
5. William Lynn, J/70 Key Player; Eastern YC
