Star Midwinter Championship-Levin

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Coconut Grove

Two races were held today on Biscayne Bay for the Star Class racing for the Bob Levin memorial trophy.

The breeze was on at 16 knots from the East which got the temperature up into the 60’s. It was a shifty again with the wind coming over the key onto the track.

Magnus and I went into the day one point behind Jack Jennings and Frithjof Kleen. But today was to be our day.  In race one, we started at the pin and never looked back.  Jennings and Kleen were in 5th at the first mark but their speed brought them up to second but the final run.  Diaz/Prada were also sailing well and finished third.

So going into the final race it was “who beats who”  to take the Levin Trophy for 2018.  Magnus and I had a conservative start under Diaz/Prada. Jennings and Kleen were slightly ahead as we all taked onto port.  Our speed was superior and we slipped out front and to leeward of the pack. We then got a header. The whole fleet flipped over onto starboard and Magnus and I were on top of the fleet.  And that’s where we stayed.

Jennings/Kleen finished second with Diaz/Prada in third. And that was the order for the regatta.

My hat is off to my crew! Magnus is 64 years young. 5 races in 16 knots in two days is hard on anyone, but Magnus is ageless. A gold medalist in 2000 the man is a true athlete, mentally and physically. Here’s to you Magnus!!

The next event will be the Masters regatta February 3, 4. followed by the Walker and Midwinters the following weekend.

For complete results go to www.yachtscoring.com

Paul

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Bob Levin Memorial Trophy – Day 2

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Photo: Marco Oquendo/imagesbymarco.com

Coconut Grove

Two races were held today on Biscayne Bay for the Star class. Classic conditions returned with 8-12 knot southeasterly and 80 temps.

Magnus and I had a fantastic day with a 2, 1 to win the Bob Levin Memorial Trophy.

Luke Lawrence sailed well to win the first race of the day just 2 boat lengths in front of us.

In the second race Magnus and I hit the start line going fast and led the whole way building a huge lead by the finish.

Lars Grael and Arthur Anosov we close to the front in both races.

The top 5 are:

1. Cayard/Liljedahl
2. Lawrence/Revkin
3. Grael/Concalves
4. Anosov/Caesar
5. MacCausland/Burgees

For complete results go to: www.yachtscoring.com

The Star Midwinter Championship starts January 8.

Paul

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Bob Levin Memorial Trophy

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Coconut Grove

Yesterday morning in Ross, California there was ice on the lawn. At midnight I walked onto the back deck of Bob Norton’s Hatteras 46 at the Coral Reef Yacht Club in 80 degrees and humidity. That’s why people go to Florida in the winter!

Today, the Star Class raced for the Bob Levin Memorial Trophy on Biscayne Bay. The breeze was up….from the south east. The chop was up as is normal on this very shallow bay when there is wind. Sailing a Star in 15 knots and chop is about as hard a work out as you get in the Star. It’s the top of the full power range.

Magnus Liljedahl and I had a very good day with scores of; 2, 2, 4 to grab the lead after day 1. That looks pretty consistent but there were plenty of ups and downs for us. The chop made downwind technique very important. You could get in a groove and pass quite a few boats.

Lars Grael (BRA) won 2 of the races and Luke Lawrence and Josh Revkin won the middle race.

Two races are scheduled for tomorrow and the breeze is forecast to be about the same as today; 15 knots from the southeast.

For complete results go to www.yachtscoring.com

Paul

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