BOSTON BAY CHALLENGE CUP
HULL, MA
July 11,12, 2009
The Boston Bay Challenge Cup was sailed with superb conditions and super competition.
Saturday a screaming southwester built up swells in the bay that were perfect size and speed for surfing a 110. The sailing was great, but the race management was a little screwed up (by me). Some sailors had either no race circular or the wrong one. And the sailors that had the correct circular had trouble finding the stealthy club marks or government buoys. The 3 races were declared a practice day to everyones satisfaction. While not good racing, everyone agreed it was some of the best 110 sailing ever experienced by any 110er who likes fast and wet. If records were kept, a record could have been set for sustained plaining by the entire fleet for the entire leeward leg.
Day 2 started properly with a skippers meeting and race circulars. A moderate westerly prevailed with smooth water and a strong incoming tide. . 3 races were close with varying wind velocity and subtle shifts to make the racing interesting with plenty of opportunities for the leaders to blow it and the rest of us to come back.
Highlights of the event included Will Laidlaw returning to Hull sailing his newly acquired Retread for the first time. Retread is as beautiful as ever. Ross Weene débuted an asymmetrical kite rig that he flew before and after racing. The rig is very cool! Maggie Craig skippered her first 110 regatta with impressive boat speed and tactics.
All the competitors are now ready to return to Hull for the 110 Districts July 25 and 26.| No | Name | Skipper | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Points | Place |
| 753 | Pow Wow | Ann Craig | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| 608 | The Good Foot | Ross Weene | 6 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 2 |
| 271 | Wild Thing | Maggie Craig | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
| 4 | Jolly Giant | Steve Clancy | 1 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 4 |
| 632 | Retread | Will Laidlaw | 5 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 5 |
| 563 | Bell Curve | Dennis Bell | 4 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 6 |
