2010 Race Results
2010 Heineken HPDO Attracts Record Turnout In Eight Classes
Anyone flying over or cruising the waters off American Yacht Club on Columbus Day weekend witnessed an unforgettable sight as an international armada of 120 boats from North America and Europe put on a NASCAR style spectacle of boats speeding, darting and, in some cases, flying across the water in the 2010 Heineken High Performance Dinghy Open. For the uninitiated observing the scene it looked like something between “chaos theory” and a jailbreak.
The Race Committee teams on two circles went into air traffic control mode as over 250 top gun dinghy sailors, including Olympians, Worlds, North American and National champions, along with newcomers, swirled around the gate, eager to “get it on” and take advantage of the conditions.
And, for the second year in a row the weather was just what the Fleet ordered with clear skies, a steady breeze topping out at 20 knots and moderate temperatures. At higher speeds the wind posed a challenge for a number of smaller boats as AYC’s recently US Sailing certified Safety & Rescue teams assisted in a number of capsizes.
Competitors arrived from Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada and across the US. There were a mix of returning champions and newcomers in each class as well as classes attending for the first time. Classes included, Olympic classes (49’er – first timers) former Olympic classes (Flying Dutchman and Tempest), development classes (F-18, Int’l Canoe, Int’l Moth), classic one-designs (505, Fireball) and two of the hottest sport boats in the North American market: the Viper 640 and RS-K6.
The Heineken HPDO was inaugurated by John Wyles at American Yacht Club in 2004. The event is open to all sailing classes who have a Portsmouth Yacht Handicap of 87 or faster. The regatta is held annually on Columbus Day Weekend at the American Yacht Club in Rye, New York.
Glenn Morrison, AYC’s Race Committee Chairman, commented: “This Regatta is going to be a tough act to follow. We had perfect dinghy weather, an increase of twenty boats, brilliant performances offshore and the renowned sportsmanship and camaraderie of competitors in the HPDO. We congratulate all the competitors and look forward to hosting you again next year.”
The 505 class – the longest attending class at this regatta - was led by Tyler Moore of Virginia with Ted Ferrarone of Larchmont placing second. Only five points separated them over eight races. Seventeen boats were entered from all over the East Coast.
Sean Doyle, a relative newcomer to the RS-K6 class, bested Rob Fear and Jim Wilson, to win the class. Fear and Doyle were tied in points but Doyle won the event based on more higher placed finishes. This event leads up to their upcoming International Cup with crews expected to come from North America, England and Germany. Fifteen of these boats, forming the largest single sport boat fleet in North America, made it to the HPDO starting line.
Viper 640s turned out in record numbers for the regatta. This event culminates their EFG Pan-American series. Thirty-five boats from the United States, Canada, England and Holland attended. Canada’s Brad Boston and Lee Shuckerow won the event followed very closely by Justin Scott and his Mambo Kings. Only four points separated the leader from second place in this hotly contested division.
The South Course saw the F-18 class’s sixteen boats from Quebec, Maryland, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York on the starting line with more races completed than any of the other classes. They sailed nine races with the Orange Circle’s Race Committee delivering Gold Cup courses to the competitors. Mike Easton and Tripp Burd squeaked a victory over Branford Connecticut’s Bob Merrick by only two points.
The twelve-boat Fireball class witnessed Guy Tipton edge out Tampa’s Pat Crump by three points to win first place. Twenty-four competitors from Canada and the United States battled hard as this class won the right to have their very own start. Fireballs are making this event a fixture on their class calendar and are promising more to come next year.
The quintessential high performance boat, the International Moth, brought seven competitors to the event. Watching the Moths go from zero to something just a few feet after leaving the dock is usually a head turner. Closing speeds are quite high when port and starboard tack boats meet, with adrenaline pumping crossings. Matt Knowles romped to victory with a commanding lead over the six other participants. American Yacht Club’s Peter Becker followed Matt by 12 points.
The Portsmouth Fleet on the Orange Circle saw seventeen boats. Four Olympic 49’ers, five Flying Dutchman, five International Canoes and three International Tempests shared the starting line. This was the 49’ers first attendance at the HPDO and they promise to return in greater numbers next year. Marc Farmer of Saint Lawrence Yacht Club won the division in his 49’er. Tampa’s Lin Robson was the highest placed Flying Dutchman and third overall in the division. Steve Clark – perennial high performance guru – led the International Canoes with fifth overall in the Portsmouth division.
Newcomer, Marc Wellacher led the Tempest class with twelfth place. The HPDO is relatively new for the Tempest class with more expected to attend next year. Marc’s win in the third race will certainly help ensure that. "Full results available at http://yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=369
An added feature of this year’s event was Saturday night’s presentation on fixed wing sails by Steve Clark of C-Class and International Canoe fame after dinner at the American Yacht Club.. He also fielded questions from many of the almost 250-person audience. Heineken has sponsored this event since its inception seven years ago and AYC HPDO Regatta officers praised them for their generosity in support of this rapidly expanding sport.
Thanks also to sponsors Ronstan, Tri-Beach Holdings, APS. Ltd, Zhik. PhotoBoat.com pictures are delivered courtesy of the generous support of Heineken.
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