Spring Championship of the Western Hemisphere
Davis Island Yacht Club, Tampa, Florida
April 25th to 30th, 2002
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First Place - Paul Cayard / Phil Trinter Second Place - Iain Percy / Steve Mitchell Third Place - Rick Merriman / Bill Bennett |
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The 2002 Spring Championship of the Western Hemisphere, hosted by the Tampa Bay Star Fleet and Davis Island Yacht Club, was sailed April 25 -30th on the waters of Tampa Bay. 38 Competitors from 7 countries sailed in light conditions up to a steady sea breeze of 10-12 knots. The light shifty conditions of Tampa Bay proved difficult for many veteran sailors of the Star Class. Class newcomer Iain Percy and Steve Mitchell proved very competitive trailing Winner Paul Cayard and Phil Trinter by 6 points going into the last day. Unfortunately the light winds forced cancellation of race 6. Rick Merriman and Bill Bennet sailed an excellent regatta to finish an impressive third place overall. Another two points back was the team of Augie Diaz and Christian Finnsgard. Rounding out the top five was 2001 North American Champion George Szabo, sailing with Austin Sperry. Masters Division winner was the Bahamian team of Jimmie Lowe and Andrew Higgs with Grand Master honors going to 73 year old Gene McCarthy and his son Glen McCarthy. Everyone was impressed with the professional race committee work put on by principal race officer Paul Leonard in the challenging conditions.
Race 1. The first attempt at race one was unsuccessful as the wind completely died approaching the first weather mark, all the boats were towed in. The afternoon sea breeze filled in late and the first race was in the books with Cayard winning.
Race 2. Winds proved steady yet shifty for race 2. Cayard was over early, restarted and still finished third! Jose Van Der Ploeg won the race with Merriman second. Race 3. After lunch and a swim in the pool - Iain Percy won impressively, in a build sea breeze. Paul Cayard was second and George Szabo rounded out the top three.
Race 4. Cayard continued his dominance in the light shifty air of Tampa Bay finishing second to Rick Merriman. Augie Diaz came in third in a difficult light air race. Race 5 followed immediately in building conditions that saw a top breeze of maybe 12 knots. Iain Percy claimed his second victory of the series in the stronger breeze. George Szabo finished second with Augie Diaz collecting another third.
An attempt at a race 6 proved impossible as very light wind prevailed early and although the began to built slightly the direction was inconsistent throughout the day. Iain Percy had a shot at winning the Silver Star but was foiled by not racing. He was supportive of the race committee decision, and is sure to win a Silver Star soon.
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Series Results Practice race Friday April 26th 1500
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