Colorado team takes two bullets in J24 racing

6:40 AM Mon 26 Apr 2010 GMT

'J24s - Bermuda International Invitational Race Week 2010' Talbot Wilson

Scott Snyder's Team USA 194 took two bullets in J24 racing today to lead the eleven-boat fleet with a stellar performance. "We didn't get to practice and we had not sailed together as a team before today."

Snyder's home club, Lake Dillon Yacht Club is the Nation's Highest Yacht Club at 9,017 feet above sea level, in Summit County Colorado. The lake is still frozen solid, so this is his first time on the water this year. This is his fifth Bermuda International Invitational Race week, the third as a skipper.

"We got the points on the board," Snyder said, "and are happy with the way we sailed. We drew a good local boat and didn't really have to do much tuning. We were sorry that only two races were scheduled."

The crew for USA 194, Greg Schertz, Brian Simkins, Tim Wilkes and Michael Dannecker, is truly a national team with members of The Denver Sailing Association in Denver, Colorado, the Centerpoint Yacht Club of Long Island, New York, and the Canandaigua Yacht Club near Rochester, New York.

Following Snyder in today's J24 Class standings were Bermudian Trevor Boyce, 2009 J24 champion, standing in second place with a four, two for six points and Sean McDermott in third with two, five and seven points.

Sailing on the keelboat Course Alpha got off to a slow start with delay waiting for the wind to build and settle in at 280?. The wind built all day with an approaching frontal system and gradually shifted to the southwest.

The J105 class was first to start and sailed a longer course than the smaller keelboats. They sailed 1.5-mile weather legs vs. one-mile weather legs for the other three classes.

In Race one for the J105's, James MacDonald's Passion led all around the four-leg course. He got away from the fleet on the first beat and opened up a big lead. Allan Williams in Not Mine was fourth in race one then the winner of three straight race weeks in the class came in first in race two and race three. He and MacDonald tied with six points. Chuck Millican in Elusive is third with two-four-two and eight points.

Scott Snyder's Team USA 194 - Bermuda International Invitational Race Week 2010 - Talbot Wilson

Bermudians hold the first three places in the etchells Class. Malcolm Graham-Taylor has a steady three-three-two and holds first place with seven points. Tim Patton, last year's winner in the etchells is second with two-one-five with eight points. Martin Vezina had four-three-one for the day and is third with eight points as well.

Bermuda's IOD ace Penny Simmons, multiple Race Week and five times IOD World Champion, leads that thirteen boat fleet after three races. After coming second in race one, Simmons hit his stride and took two bullets in a row for two-one-one and four points. Giles Peckham & Milo Carver's UK Daring team are second with seven points after scoring three-two-two. Standing third is John Pulverman of Canada's Chester IOD fleet with one-eight-four and 13 points.

On Course Bravo the Lasers got in three races one more than the schedule called for. Perennial winner Malcolm Smith came first in races one and three. He was leading in race two when he tangled his mainsheet in his lifejacket and capsized. He still managed to finish fifth. He leads the day with one-five-one and seven points. Bermuda Olympic hopeful Rockal Evans is second with five-one-four and 10 points. Brett Wright is third with six-four-two and 12 points.

High winds are expected for Bermuda on Monday and Tuesday. Forecasters predict gusts of 35-40 knots each day so racing may be delayed and the racers may have to use the time off scheduled for Wednesday for Racing.

Racing starts at 1100hrs on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for both courses.

Rock on the Dock
Competitors and Bermudians alike are invited to the New 'Rock on the Dock' party on Tuesday night. Live music by "Outta Bounds" at 7:00pm with BBQ dinner for $40 per person and includes a Bacardi? Dragon Berry Cocktail 'Rock on the Dock' is a perfect lead in to a 'No Race' day on Wednesday, just right for international guests to enjoy the beach, the sights and the great non-sailing activities of Bermuda.

Bacardi also presents a daily prize at the RBYC Terrace Bar post race party. The Bacardi Sailing Spirit Prize, for the day's significant sailing achievement, is awarded ceremoniously each afternoon.

The Prize Giving Party at RBYC concludes Race Week on Friday the 30th of April. In addition to the fantastic sailing competition, the week is sprinkled with fleet parties.

For more information, go to: www.biirw.bm/

by Talbot Wilson