FIRST WAVE: March 25, 2009 Edition
By Dan Kimball, First Series Coordinator- Beneteau USA
San Diego NOOD Regatta
The San Diego NOOD Regatta always seems to draw a long distance crowd, with
several out of town teams competing in the First 36.7 class. Mark Norris from Chicago, Chuck Bayer from Detroit, and Gary Tisdale of New York all made the trip west for the 2009 San Diego NOOD Regatta. Each team shipped out their own sails, running rigging and chartered boats to race this past weekend. All in all, there were fifteen Beneteaus racing, including ten 36.7s and five 40.7s. The 36.7 class raced Friday through Sunday; however they were only able to get in five races due to a storm that rolled in on Sunday.
In the end, Steven Ernest’s Aimant de Fille took first overall with an impressive
three bullets, as well as a second and eighth place finish for a total of 13 points. Ernest was followed closely by second place finisher Fandango, which was chartered by Gary Tisdale. One point behind Tisdale was Chick and Alexis Pyle’s Kea.
three bullets, as well as a second and eighth place finish for a total of 13 points. Ernest was followed closely by second place finisher Fandango, which was chartered by Gary Tisdale. One point behind Tisdale was Chick and Alexis Pyle’s Kea.
The 40.7 fleet elected to race just Saturday and Sunday and were only able to fit three races in over the weekend due to Sunday’s weather. Cliff Thompson’s Super Gnat took first place with two bullets and one second place finish. Super Gnat beat out second place finisher R. Kirk O’Brien and his crew aboard Drumshanbo by one point! Rounding out the top three was Warren Gross’ Silhouette.
The New First 40 in Action
Stay Tuned for First 40 Results There are currently four First 40s registered in IRC 1 for the Spi Ouest Regatta that runs from April 9-13. These new boats have been tuning up over the last few weeks and should really be dialed in by the time Spi Ouest rolls around. Courrier Zen, one of the new 40s that will be racing in Spi Ouest is owned by Gery Trentesaux. It was Trentesaux that dominated IRC 1 in the same regatta last year aboard the First 45 Lady Courrier. Although he has yet to reveal his IRC rating, Trentesaux’s Courrier Zen is expected to do very well in Spi Ouest and the upcoming regatta season. I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated as the results come in.
First 36.7 North American Championship
This year’s First 36.7 NAs will be held August 27-30 at the Bayview Yacht Club in
Detroit. Registration is up and running on http://www.yachtscoring.com/ and there are
already seven boats signed up. Encourage all First 36.7 owners to sign up early to help build excitement and participation for the regatta!
Detroit. Registration is up and running on http://www.yachtscoring.com/ and there are
already seven boats signed up. Encourage all First 36.7 owners to sign up early to help build excitement and participation for the regatta!
Beneteau….First in Performance!
