2014 Etchells North American Championship – Day 2

by Susan Kantor on 21 Sep 2014 2014 Etchells North American Championship - It could be anyone’s regatta in the third and final day of the International Etchells Class North American Championship on Sunday. With two races to go, the top eight teams just nine points apart and four teams tied for second place, tomorrow’s races will decide who is the top Etchells team in North America.

Despite a stormy afternoon forecast, 32 teams from all over the world competed in two races out of the Chicago Yacht Club’s Belmont Station in the second day of the regatta.

'Today was a challenge because of the offshore breeze,' said PRO Lynn Lynch. 'There was a good twist from the top to the bottom of the course, but I’m pretty happy with the calls we made and keeping the course as square as possible. The Race Committee responded really well to all of the changes and last-minute decisions.'

'We did what we could with the conditions and got in two good races,' Lynch continued. 'Tomorrow we’re looking forward to an even bigger breeze, a steady northerly wind.'

Through six races, Elizabeth, skippered by Tom Carruthers (San Diego YC), remains in the top spot with 20 points. But the next four Etchells teams, each with 21 points, are tied for second place.

Bruce Nelson, who is sailing on Firing Line, moved into seventh place today and is hopeful for another strong day of racing on Sunday.

'We’re hoping to crack the top five tomorrow if we have another good day,' Nelson said. 'This is a tough fleet. A lot of these teams were training for the Etchells Worlds, so we’re feeling good just hanging around these guys.

'This has been a really great regatta — good turnout, good competition. The Chicago Yacht Club has been a great host. We’ve been blessed with really nice wind each day, and tomorrow looks even better.'

The International Etchells Class North American Championship runs through Sunday, September 21 at Chicago Yacht Club’s Belmont Station. The event began on Thursday with a practice day followed by three full days of racing.