2009 Newport 6mR World Cup
9/8/09 – 1900hrs

After the initial attempt to start the first race into a northerly breeze lead to an abandonment, the patience of Principal Race Officer, Dr. Robin Wallace finally paid off. By mid-afternoon a light southerly breeze filled in enabling the first race of the 6mR World Cup to commence. A fleet of approximately 30 spectator and support boats were on hand to watch the thirty-four yacht fleet sail a 4 x 1.2 mile/leg windward/leeward course set at 190 degrees with separate starts for the Modern and Classic divisions.

In the Modern Division Sophie II (SWE-132) skippered by Hugo Stenbeck got the gun, picking off Scoundrel (GBR-96) helmed by Rob Gray at the finish. Andy Parker’s Finnegan (US-123) took third in the only race of the day.

In the Classic Division, relative sailing newcomer, Jesse Smith of Jamestown, RI took first place in his first World Cup competition sailing with his local crew onboard Totem (US-51). It was a good day for the North Americans as second place went to Peter Hofmann’s Goose (US-81) and Gallant (KC-10), helmed by Eric Jespersen took third.

Anticipation builds for tomorrow as heavier wind is expected to keep the fleet racing inside Narragansett Bay.


#ends#