Snipe U.S. Nationals - Final - Snipe Class International

Jubilee Yacht Club, Beverly MA (8 races, 1 throwout)

The Quantum Snipe Nationals took place over four days on Salem Sound, a unique body of water in the dent between Gloucester and Marblehead. Hosted by Jubilee Yacht Club (Beverly, MA), the event attracted 51 boats from 12 states and 2 countries. And our esteemed SCIRA Commodore (and SnipeToday editor) Pietro Fantoni leveled out all those Boston accents with his own Italian flair!

Though the weather was challenging with record heat and humidity levels, that didn’t stop the Serious Fun—though it did impact the Serious Sailing on two of the race days. The first day was surprisingly chilly, with what turned out to be a dying northeast breeze, and three races worked up appetites for “burgahs” and “beeahs” ashore afterward (along with the chance to catch up with old friends and make a few new ones). With a wide mix of returning Snipe sailors, newbies, and the veterans who never left, there was plenty of catching up to do.

Very light breeze on days 2 and 3 made only two more races possible, and (unfortunately) left plenty of time to discuss the subtleties of light-air Snipe sailing. It also left plenty of energy for Friday night’s Mexican dinner and pub crawl, and the fantastic “lobstah” dinner on Saturday night back at Jubilee Yacht Club.

A building gradient westerly on the final day gave teams a chance to stretch their hiking legs and remember their tighter tuning numbers, as well as enjoying a few fun downwind rides. Local sailor (and light air specialist) Tomas Hornos, 2009 Snipe World Champion, proved that he and Kathleen Tocke could hang in the breeze as well, winning a tie break for first overall (over another Snipe world champion, Augie Diaz, and crew Margeaux Barco). Third overall went to 2019 Pan Am Games representatives Ernesto Rodriguez/Hallie Schiffman, who used the event as a final training opportunity before leaving for Peru.

As usual, Jubilee Yacht Club (a small club of primarily bigger boats than Snipes) was extremely welcoming and shared their small parking lot (and air-conditioned bar) with grace. Thanks to the McAdoo family, led by Shan, for creating such a Snipe go-to spot in the northeast US!