GazetteNetSailing News
| Pl | CTR | Boat # | Skipper | Crew | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Race 4 | Race 5 | Race 6 | Score | Drop | Final |
| 1 | USA | 26926 | Alex Pline | Lisa Pline | 2 | 0.75 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 29DNS | 40.75 | 29 | 11.75 |
| 2 | BER | 25077 | Malcolm Smith | Damian Payne | 5 | 2 | 0.75 | 7 | 6 | 0.75 | 21.5 | 7 | 14.5 |
| 3 | USA | 28812 | Gonzo Diaz | Sherry Eldridge | 3 | 5 | 29PMS | 5 | 0.75 | 3 | 45.75 | 29 | 16.75 |
| 4 | USA | 28044 | Pedro Lorson | Susan Cushman | 4 | 3 | 29PMS | 0.75 | 5 | 5 | 46.75 | 29 | 17.75 |
| 5 | USA | 24702 | Jerry Thompson | Jerelyn Biehl | 0.75 | 8 | 29PMS | 2 | 2 | 8 | 49.75 | 29 | 20.75 |
| 6 | USA | 29013 | Don Bedford | Julie Harrar | 7 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 37 | 10 | 27 |
| 7 | BER | 25707 | Guy Eldridge | Dave Kuhn | 6 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 50 | 16 | 34 |
| 8 | CAN | 25843 | Gwen Crook | Jennifer Ayers | 12 | 29DNF | 4 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 75 | 29 | 46 |
| 9 | USA | 29204 | Lee Griffith | Shevaun Adcock | 26 | 29DNF | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 76 | 29 | 47 |
| 10 | BER | 14888 | Kiki Bosch | Robert Blee | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 14 | 68 | 17 | 51 |
| 11 | USA | 29290 | Bill Buckles | Sherry Welch | 8 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 72 | 18 | 54 |
| 12 | BER | 290901 | Neil Catto | Nigel Fish | 9 | 15 | 9 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 71 | 16 | 55 |
| 13 | USA | 25122 | Matt Bryant | Laura Bryant | 11 | 10 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 17 | 84 | 19 | 65 |
| 14 | BER | 19708 | Ray Pitman | Bob Petty | 10 | 17 | 12 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 85 | 20 | 65 |
| 15 | CAN | 16182 | Chris Hains | Don Hains | 14 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 91 | 22 | 69 |
| 16 | USA | 27772 | Bill Welch | Samantha Froud | 19 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 91 | 21 | 70 |
| 17 | USA | 29090 | Jim Disch | Jno Disch | 18 | 20 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 99 | 21 | 78 |
| 18 | BER | 14888 | Brett Wright | Sara Lane Wright | 29 | 7 | 29PMS | 27 | 12 | 7 | 111 | 29 | 82 |
| 19 | USA | 27469 | Pete Ilgenfritz | Mo McSweeney | 17 | 29DNF | 16 | 19 | 20 | 12 | 113 | 29 | 84 |
| 20 | BER | 19111 | J.P. Snelling | Judy Keyes | 15 | 16 | 13 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 109 | 24 | 85 |
| 21 | USA | 28282 | Leo Murphy | Joe Murphy | 16 | 13 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 110 | 23 | 87 |
| 22 | USA | 29110 | Terry McSweeney | Lore Keller | 29DNS | 29DNS | 6 | 22 | 14 | 21 | 121 | 29 | 92 |
| 23 | USA | 28677 | Gregg Mylett | Kristin Mylett | 22 | 29DNF | 20 | 9 | 18 | 24 | 122 | 29 | 93 |
| 24 | BER | 2507 | Caroline Tytheridge | Brad Adderley | 20 | 20 | 15 | 24 | 25 | 18 | 122 | 25 | 97 |
| 25 | USA | 27444 | Mike Delaney | Maggie Delaney | 21 | 20 | 22 | 12 | 23 | 23 | 121 | 23 | 98 |
| 26 | USA | 28045 | Steve Lang | Scotty Lang | 23 | 29DNF | 10 | 25 | 26 | 29DNS | 142 | 29 | 113 |
| 27 | USA | 24020 | Tom Parks | Bonnie Robertson | 26 | 29DNF | 23 | 26 | 27 | 29DNS | 160 | 29 | 131 |
GazetteNetThere is a saying: "The only constant in life is change..."
The smile on Stevie Dickinson's face and confident tone after yesterday's pair of races gave clear indication of where the International Race Week Comet Class title is headed...east.
On a day of drastic change one constant remained: Penny Simmons.
Mother Nature wrecked yesterday's International Race Week schedule, high winds forcing officials to abandon racing for the day.
There may be four days to go but it's hard to come by anybody betting against Penny Simmons recording victory at this year's International Race Week.
International Race Week returns Sunday with two additional classes and six days of exciting water fare.
Bermuda, May 3, 1997
There is a saying: "The only constant in life is change..."
Fortunately for Robert Bell the adage does not always apply in sailing.
All week the Floridian was a picture of stability and his consistency bore rich reward when he emerged yesterday as Etchells champion on the final day of International Race Week.
Bell never won a single race. But he and his crew's unwavering determination and uncanny ability to place among the leaders during each of six outings while the competition vacillated allowed him to achieve overall victory.
Five third place finishes and a second gave the Miami Fleet 20 racer the slenderest of margins over Bermudian ace Tim Patton - 14 points compared to 141/2.
Patton, who had two firsts, and a low of eighth, entered yesterday needing to beat Bell by at least two positions to take the crown, but the American clung to his stern like a newborn to it's mother's breast, shadowing his counterpart throughout.
In the end Patton placed second, but in finishing third Bell had achieved his goal.
The race was actually won by Graham Bailey of England, but his was merely cosmetic covering to the battle that raged behind.
Reflecting on the week, Bell understandably noted it as an extremely enjoyable one, but most importantly "consistent".
As for the duel with Patton, he said that he had serious doubts regarding his ability to hold on.
"Well, we never thought we would (stay close enough), because he had a big lead on us during the first leg and then we finally whittled it down and at one point were ahead of him and put him into a tacking duel to distance him from the leader and covered him for a few tacks," said Bell.
The overall win was a far cry from a year ago when Bell endured a dreadful regatta, finishing 10th, with a best placing of sixth.
That in mind he enlisted the services of his conqueror Peter Bromby as crew, a move which ultimately proved golden.
"We came here the last two years and did horribly and quite frankly I decided that if I couldn't beat the Bermudians I might as well have one join us, and I have to give a lot of the credit to Peter Bromby," continued Bell.
"He's a tremendous tactician. We called him coach most of the time and we learned a lot from Peter, both about Bermuda and sailing here. Having Peter and my home crew of Skip Vashon, who did an excellent job on the foredeck, paid off."
A major surprise engaged the International One Design (IOD) Class as Penny Simmons was denied the Norwegian Series `B' title.
Marblehead sailor Greg Mancusi-Ungaro proved Simmons' nemesis for the second consecutive day, seizing second place in the lone race sailed, while Simmons was fourth for the second time in two days and forced to surrender the crown.
Mancusi-Ungaro took the series with five and a half points compared to 103/4 for Simmons, while Brian Young (203/4) held on for third.
"Racing Penny in his home waters is a real challenge and taking one from him means that this was our week. At the end of it the cards went our way. It was great racing," said Mancusi-Ungaro, who benefited greatly from having multiple IOD Worlds champion Bill Widnall aboard, along with Laurie Fullerton, Rachel Higgins and Peter Calligani.
Simmons needed to beat Mancusi-Ungaro by at least three places to secure the `B' series and third consecutive `triple crown', but was done in by a bad start that saw him buried in the middle of the fleet. Nevertheless, the Bermudian still walked away with the overall Vrengen Gold Cup, as well as the `A' series.
The other big boat class decided yesterday witnessed John Alofsin pace the J-24 fleet, winning race seven and the overall with 91/4 points, ahead of Stuart Jardine (121/2) and last year's winner Michael Emery (203/4).
Among the small boats Alex Pline and wife Lisa sailed away with the hotly contested Snipes division, securing matters with a third in the opening race.
The Plines, second in 1994, finally attained their ultimate goal, dismissing the challenges of local favourite Malcolm Smith and fellow American Gonzo Diaz.
"Staying consistent was really the game plan, not getting too crazy and just trying to stay in there. We finished up with three thirds after that, so we stuck to our game plan and having Junior on the rail helped us out a little," said Alex, referring to the additional weight carried by his pregnant wife.
"Bermuda is a very special place for us because we met here in 1992 and got engaged here a year later. This has become quite a family affair for us," said Lisa.
As expected Stevie Dickinson and crew Wesley Tucker capped off a stellar week with a pair of `bullets', shooting down all challengers in the Comet Class.
In the JY15 Class Tom Dailey and Kate Brennan took honours, with Brennan taking the tiller for the last race, passing former 1984 Olympic 470 gold medallist Lynn Shore on the second beat and enabling them to earn a fifth race win.
Adam Barboza ended Craig Davis' challenge in the Lasers with a sixth race win that allowed him to maintain first overall, with Davis second and Christian Luthi a close third.
Bermuda, May 2, 1997
The smile on Stevie Dickinson's face and confident tone after yesterday's pair of races gave clear indication of where the International Race Week Comet Class title is headed...east.
Winning allows for such self-assurance and with two superb victories on a day of light and shifty winds, the St. Georgian placed one hand firmly on the prize, leaving the rest of the fleet in a quandary over what they might do to usurp the raging juggernaut.
Clear indication of Dickinson's irrepressible form came in the first race when he came from well back to win during the final run.
Left befuddled by such amazing prowess were American Mark Hess and local Rudy Bailey, but more disappointment was to come as they set out a second time.
The trio battled in close quarters throughout, with Hess leading during the middle portion, but Dickinson poking ahead when it mattered most.
"Things went really well for me today," said Dickinson, re-teamed with crew Wesley Tucker after a four year split. "The first race I think I was very lucky because the last leg to weather I rounded the weather mark eighth, but ended up getting a little private breeze of my own and won the race on the run. "But in the second race I was real fast, I was very consistent, I stayed out in front and won the race."
Dickinson stands at 101/4 points - excluding discard - and leads second placed Hess by four and three quarter points, with defending champion Howard Lee (153/4) third and Bailey (20) fifth overall.
Unlike in the past, where he was apt to become frustrated and take unnecessary risks under light air conditions, Dickinson stuck to his game plan.
"I'm ten times better now (in light air)...and I think that's what scares them," he said, a matter of factly. "I have a lot more patience and that's what light air is all about, having patience.
"Tomorrow I'll go out there and sail aggressively like I've been doing all week. There's no change of thought or anything like that, just go out there and sail."
There appears no clear cut front-runner among the highly competitive Snipe Class where local favourite Malcolm Smith continues to be given all he can handle by a quintet of Americans, Alex Pline, Don Bedford, Jerry Thompson, Gonzo Diaz and Pedro Lorson, as well as local Guy Eldridge.
Smith's has been a roller coaster week and the ride continued as he followed a first, where he directly benefited from Jerry Thompson's disqualification, with a seventh placing the next time out when Lorson grabbed first.
Ever consistent Pline continued to top the tables after a pair of thirds, meaning that Smith and crew Damian Payne will have to be at their mercurial best today.
Pline has 83/4 points compared to 143/4 for Smith, with Bedford (21) third followed by Eldridge (26), Lorson (363/4), Kiki Bosch (37) and Thompson (393/4). However, the gap tightens considerably when discard races are factored in.
"I knew this was going to be a tough fleet with 27 boats and the consistency is what's going to pay in the end," said Smith, last year's Laser Class champ.
"My starts haven't been really good, we haven't been sailing in the major Snipe regattas for two or three years and the boat has a different feel than a Laser or single-handed boat. So you have to work a little harder to get on the line and get good starts, which is part of my problem right now."
Tom Dailey and crew Kate Brennan had endured a perfect regatta until yesterday afternoon when they placed fourth in the JY15 Class, but still appear on course for their first ever Race Week crown, their 61/4 points leading David Eck (73/4) and John Niewinhouse (15).
Still the pair were taking nothing for granted.
"It's really close right now because Dave is only a point and a half behind us, so (today's) going to be real interesting, especially if we have two races and he can make up a point and a half by being first twice or by putting a boat in between us," said Dailey.
Adam Barboza stands atop the Laser Class, with Craig Davis second and Christian Luthi third.
Racing out of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Henry Amthor captured first in the 505 Class, after completing a sweep of all six races. Second was Ali Mellor followed by Barry Kuehl.
Greg Mancusi-Ungaro continued to threaten Penny Simmons' treble bid among the IODs with a first and second compared to a fourth and first for the Bermudian.
Bob Bell became the new leader in the Etchells followed by Paul Fisher and Andreas Lewin, while John Alofsin stayed in control of the J-24 fleet.
Bermuda, May 1, 1997
On a day of drastic change one constant remained: Penny Simmons.
As the high winds that forced the abandonment of Tuesday's International Race Week bottomed out, local legend Simmons merely added to his lore, wrapping up yet another championship `A' series title, while positioning himself for a run at the Norwegian Series `B' and overall Vrengen Gold Cup in the International One Design (IOD) class.
Simmons recorded a first in the morning race, reading the shifts to perfection during a spectacular second, upwind leg, vaulting from third to first and taking the gun.
His four firsts and a fifth - the latter was discarded - gave him a remarkable three points that easily garnered the `A' series prize. Norway's Jan Petter Roed (12) wound up second, with Brian Young (153/4) third.
The afternoon outing finally saw the Bermudian beaten for the first time in four consecutive outings, yet he thrilled even in defeat as after being over the start line prematurely and forced back he majestically made his way again towards the front, overtaking all but one of the 11 boat fleet.
Proving the insurmountable object was New England resident Greg Mancusi-Ungaro, who, after placing second to Simmons earlier in the day, took full advantage of his rival's gaffe to move clear, hitting stride following an indifferent run.
"It takes a while to get the cobwebs out, the crew work today was excellent," said Mancusi-Ungaro, who has the like of multiple world champion Bill Widnall on board as crew, along with Laurie Fullerton, Rachel Higgins and Peter Calligani.
"We had a terrific start in the first race and in the second race we were lucky to get away from the start as cleanly as we did, there were some boats on our air early and we were able to keep our heads in the game, stay calm and keep the boat going."
Although the victory automatically put the American in the driver's seat, he was well aware of Simmons' spectre just astern.
"It's always a challenge to race against Penny, he's very hard to beat and is especially hard to beat here in his home waters," continued Mancusi-Ungaro. "He's a yardstick that we try to use to see how far we've come as we learn how to sail the boats, he's a good benchmark for us to try to challenge."
Arguably providing the bulk of the day's entertainment value were the Etchell class boats, with mild controversy erupting during the second race when the first attempted start led to a general recall and five were called but failed to return at the second try.
Among those failing to turn back was then leader Tim Patton, who - excluding discard result - fell to fourth at 201/2 points, with United States' Robert Bell (11) taking over the lead position.
There was initial concern in the Patton camp as to whether eventual race winner Andreas Lewin (151/2) had also started prematurely, however the skipper calmly accepted the decision of the race committee.
"We were bow to bow with two other boats, it turns out two of us were over and the other one won the race, but I respect what the committee says and accept that every once in a while when you try really hard you're going to be over and I congratulate Andreas," said Patton, who handily won the first race over Englishman Graham Bailey and Bell and stands in prime position when discard races are factored in.
As has been the case all week, the brother tandem of Henry and Douglas Amthor outshone the competition in the super quick 505 class, the pair notching two more `bullets' on the day to move onto three points, six more than nearest rivals Ali Mellor and David Stetson (nine), while Barry Kuehl and Bruce Tilley (13) stand third.
"It's gone well, it's a very well-run regatta, the race committee is outstanding and we're really enjoying ourselves," said Amthor, who also has his wife and newborn child in tow.
"It's the first time we've been to Bermuda, but I think we have a little bit of an advantage because we have our own boat here, while some of the others are using borrowed boats."
RBYC will be putting on a 1997-2000 Rules Seminar on Saturday at the club starting at 9.00 a.m. Moderators will be international judges Mike Tapert and Graeme Hayward. Cost for the seminar is $10. Reservations required.
Bermuda, April 30, 1997
Mother Nature wrecked yesterday's International Race Week schedule, high winds forcing officials to abandon racing for the day.
Instead today, which had been scheduled as a rest day for most classes, will now serve as a replacement, with all classes due to see action - weather permitting.
Bermuda's Penny Simmons stands on the verge of claiming the first prize of the week-long event, the veteran IOD skipper all but assured of the Bermuda Race Week Championship `A'.
Simmons has been in ravishing form thus far, with three first place finishes, together with a fifth. And any placing better than fifth during the final `A' series race would guarantee victory, as well as position him well for the Vrengen Gold Cup, awarded to the overall low points helmsman when the `A' and Norwegian series `B' are combined.
The closest battle being waged among the keel boats remains among the Etchells, where former winner Tim Patton holds a slender one and a quarter point edge over American Robert Bell, who has 1996 winner Peter Bromby aboard as crew, while Andreas Lewin stands two and three quarter points further back in third.
Patton and Lewin each have first place finishes to their credit, Patton having triumphed in race one on Sunday, before Lewin led wire to wire on Monday.
America's John Alofsin has set himself well on the way to upsetting Michael Emery's plans of a repeat in the J-24 class, positioning himself at the top with six and a half points on the basis of two firsts, a second and a third. Emery is second on 113/4.
The super fast Tornado fleet and newly instituted 505 each have runaway leaders, Alan Burland having triumphed in all four outings by the former, while Henry Amthor has taken a pair of firsts in the latter.
In the small boat classes, Malcolm Smith finds himself up against it in the Snipe class as Alex Pline threatens to derail his victory parade. The American has adapted well to the local conditions, placing second in the first race and winning the next to earn two and three quarter points, a four and a quarter point lead over the Bermudian.
Defending champion Howard Lee (33/4) currently has a handle on the Comet class, leading Gladwin Lambert (seven), Stevie Dickinson (83/4) and Rudy Bailey (15), while Tom Daly (11/2) and Adam Barboza (31/2) are in control of the JY15 and Laser classes respectively.
Bermuda, April 29, 1997
There may be four days to go but it's hard to come by anybody betting against Penny Simmons recording victory at this year's International Race Week.
The wily Bermudian skipper set sail for a third consecutive Vrengen Gold Cup - awarded the overall winner in the International One Design class - on Sunday and as of yesterday was firmly on course.
Showing the class that has made him a multiple IOD world champion, Simmons motored to a pair of victories in the Great Sound, combining solid crew work with great tactical ability.
The opening race saw Simmons and his four-member crew of wife Sacha, son Lars, Jay Hooper and Steven King, get off to a perfect start in 12 knot breezes, identifying the right shifts and leading by a minute at the top mark. Ensuing legs had the gap steadily extended before he eventually crossed the finish some three minutes ahead of Jan Petter Roed, with Larry Davis back in third.
Following a brief respite Simmons was back at it - although winds had increased tremendously to around 20 knots and whitecaps abounded. It mattered little, for Simmons again revelled in what he claims as his backyard, taking an early advantage and never relinquishing the reins for a moment.
Second place would appear all those not named Simmons can only hope for now.
"I'm looking a little better and feeling a little better as opposed to (Sunday)," said Simmons while being toasted by his crew under the canopy at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. "The boat was well-tuned and well-balanced, I just did as I was told, steered the boat and got good results." "The crew worked well together and it was a matter of playing the wind shifts. Once we got ahead it made it easier for us, we were able to pick our wind, tack when we wanted to, we had good boat speed and everything held together."
Standing closest to Simmons, who has 71/4 points, is Roed on 15 after adding a pair of second place finishes, while Brian Young is third at 173/4.
Asked if he could smell the first of what could be another treble, Simmons chuckled. "Well, you never can be too sure about that sort of thing in boat racing, but if we have a fair breeze tomorrow, with the boat we have - we have the only wooden boat in the fleet - it'll be interesting to see how it goes and we're looking forward to trying it out."
Meanwhile in the highly-competitive Etchells class, it was Andreas Lewin stealing the thunder from favourite Tim Patton. Like Simmons, Lewin used a brilliant upwind leg to set the tone and then worked to keep the rest of the fleet behind as he traversed the windward-leeward course.
"Yesterday was a little bit lighter, a little more fluky," explained Lewin, who was second overall a year ago. "I thought we sailed a good race yesterday, we just got caught up on a couple of bad shifts that we couldn't anticipated. I felt we had good speed yesterday and sailed smart when we could, but were a tad unlucky. Today we got an early led and were able to pick the shifts however we wanted and were able to dictate the race once we got in front."
Lewin held off American Bob Bell, who had last year's winner Peter Bromby aboard as crew, while Patton did well to forge third after an up and down affair that saw him fall as far back as fifth at one point.
Patton still managed to hold onto the top spot as his 33/4 points lead Bell (five) and Lewin (73/4), but, as Lewin indicated, it's anyone's guess who will emerge with the spoils by week's end.
American John Alofsin and British rival Stuart Jardine sparkled in the J-24 class with first and second-place finishes.
Alan Burland continued his dominance in the Tornado fleet with two more bullets, while John Downey recorded a pair of seconds. Likewise American Henry Amthor made a solid first impression among the newly installed 505 class, winning the first two races.
Among the smaller craft, Howard Lee showed that he would not be relinquishing his Comet class title easily, with a first and third that placed him atop the leaderboard, followed by Gladwin Lambert and Stevie Dickinson.
Snipes also got in on the act for the first time, with Alex Pline of the US in the top spot after first and second-place finishes. Malcolm Smith and Pedro Lorson are joint second, Smith having a second and fifth to his credit and Lorson a third and fourth. Tom Daly seized two wins in the all American JY15 class. Adam Barboza heads the Laser class ahead of Christian Luthi.
Bermuda, April 24, 1997
International Race Week returns Sunday with two additional classes and six days of exciting water fare.
After suffering a dip in numbers last year, the annual regatta will see the debut of the 505 Class and welcome back the Tornado Class following a lengthy hiatus. The 505 Class will feature four two-member crews hailing from the United States.
Also returning are four defending champions: Penny Simmons (IOD), Michael Emery (J-24), Howard Lee (Comet) and David Eck (JY-15) as part of a bumper crop of 250 sailors and 95 craft.
Of the keel boat classes, most of the focus will likely centre on the Etchells 22 Class.
With reigning champion Peter Bromby electing to act as crew for American Robert Bell rather than take the helm, the door has been thrown wide open for a new winner to emerge.
"This year, with the absence of Peter at the helm, it's going to come down to the last race," said spokesman Andreas Lewin yesterday. "It should be tight and I'll be surprised if someone wins it by miles and it doesn't come down to the last day."
Among those will be multiple former titlist Tim Patton, but he'll be challenged by a host of local and overseas sailors.
"Timmy had an off year last year but this time he has a decent crew and is always a threat," said Lewin, who will also be competing. "I think it's a very strong local fleet and should have a couple of us in the top five.
"There are six or seven who could win this, so it'll depend on who can consistently adapt and use the conditions to their advantage."
Bermudians Glenn Astwood and Paul Fisher, as well as Bell, David Jones, Jake Jacobsen and John Kenerson of the United States are among the challengers, said Lewin.
Only when pressed did Lewin remark of his own chances, which would appear bright based on the fact that he was second a year ago and the absence of Bromby this time around.
"I'm hoping to improve on last year, so if I can do that I'll be happy," Lewin laughed.
Aside from having the second-most entries, the Etchells are also the most diversified in terms of nationalities, with six countries represented. In addition to Bermuda and the US there will be one entry from Hong Kong (Harald Dudok van Heel), Canada (Stuart Ash), Australia (Barry Topple) and Great Britain (Ted Fort).
Among the smaller non-keel classes, the Snipes stand out and, like the Etchells, promise the crowning of a new king.
In the absence of Stevie Dickinson, many are already ordaining Malcolm Smith, who has reverted back to the Snipes this year after flirting with the Lasers the last two in advance of the 1996 Olympic Games.
And as if he needed the help, Smith has taken on the services of Damian Payne, a first-class skipper in his own right, as crew.
"Any number of people can win depending on the weather conditions and how they feel on that day," noted Etchells president Kevin Blee. "I expect it to be very aggressive starting, where you'll probably see half the fleet competing at all the marks.
"Malcolm has done a lot of Snipe sailing before he went to the Lasers and he would certainly be my odds-on favourite, especially with Damian crewing for him."
However, the pair will not be alone, nor will they be handed any favours by a fleet comprising multiple past champions Bill Buckles, who last won in 1994, and Jerry Thompson (1995) as well as the likes of Bermudian Brett Wright and Guy Eldridge.
Bermudians are outnumbered by nearly three to one in a fleet that, at 27, stands as the largest in several years. That number is a tribute to Blee and others charged with organisational chores.
Here to get a first hand view on Snipe racing in Bermuda will be none other than Gonzalo Diaz, commodore of the Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA), who will be paired with yet another past winner, Sherry Eldridge. In the game of musical classes, Dickinson has elected for the Comet where the east ender looks set to resume a sometimes stormy, but always intriguing rivalry with western rival Rudy Bailey.
Dickinson will carry crew Wesley Tucker, while Bailey has Calvin Lynch as they each duel for the title held by Lee.
Sunday sees the Laser, Tornado, J-24 and IOD fleets racing in the Great Sound, with the remainder - 505, Etchells, JY-15, Snipe and Comet - get started in earnest on Monday. Operating out of the Spanish Point Boat Club will be the JY-15, Snipe, Comet and Laser classes, while the rest have Royal Bermuda Yacht Club as their base.
Copyright 1997 The Royal Gazette Limited.
This document was last updated on Saturday, May 3, 1997 at 11:40.