Class Winners Crowned North American Challenge Cup

by Christie Kirchner on 6 Aug 2008 Top-ranked disabled sailors competing at the annual North American Challenge Cup (NACC)—a three-day regatta hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club and sponsored by American Airlines, Hyatt Hotels, Rolex and World Sport Chicago—were treated to two days of great wind conditions: a first morning of 15-knots of breeze; a second day of 9- to 12- knot blows and lumpy seas.

Both days gave crews in all three classes a workout. Unfortunately, the third and final day of racing was cancelled. Initially, threatening storms postponed harbor start, and then, the wind refused to settle to enable race committee to set a course.

The NACC, held August 1-4, drew members of both the 2008 U.S. and Canadian Disabled Sailing Teams. These Paralympians represent their country's most promising hopes for Gold at the 2008 Paralympic Games in China. The 2.4mR and the Sonar, both sailed at the NAAC, are two of the three classes to be raced at the 2008 Paralympic Games in China.

In the Freedom 20 class, racing was highly competitive, with only three points separating the top five finishers. Local Chicagoan Mike Jaffe clinched first by only one point, upsetting the five-time defending champion Karen Mitchell.

'If everyone had as much fun as Dan and I did, then we had twice as much fun as everyone else,' exclaimed Mike Jaffe on his feelings winning the Freedom division. 'To bring the cup back to Chicago is enlightening and I think it gives a boost to our program.' Jaffe refers to the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing program that teaches disabled sailing in Chicago and where he is an instructor.

U.S. Paralympian John Ruf, of Pewaukee, Wisc., had ten straight bullets to capture a win in the singlehanded 2.4mR class. The four-boat Sonar class was topped by Ken Kelly and crew Don Terlson and Marc Shaw all of Victoria, British Columbia. As the Canadian representatives to the Games in the Sonar Class, Kelly and crew, who placed third is last year's event, were in a tight race with defending champion Albert Foster 's team. Although Foster (Wayzata, Minn.) was injured on the dock Friday and unable to compete, the fleet agreed to a substitution so that his team and crew of Jimmie Thweatt (W. Sacramento, Calif.) and David Burdette (Lutherville, Md.) could still compete. Both Kelly and Team Foster never scored worse than 2 in all 11 races.

'Chicago Yacht Club is proud to host Paralympic athletes John Ruf, Ken Kelly, John McRoberts, and Bill Donohue for the NACC and we hope it gave them the extra tune-up they need. We wish them the best of luck as they compete in Qingdao,' stated Rosemary Metzger, chair of the event.

As sponsors of the event, American Airlines, Hyatt Hotels, Chicago Yacht Club Foundation, Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing, Rolex Watch U.S.A., and World Sport Chicago, play a vital role at this event. The support of corporate supporters is critical to the success of the NACC regatta, for the logistics involved in traveling to and participating in the event can be both physically and financially daunting. Corporate partners provide the generous support needed so participants can concentrate on the tough competition they face on the water.









Final Results (top 3 in each class)
Freedom Independence 20 (7 boats, 10 races, 1 discard)
1. Mike Jaffe/Dan Daniher (Chicago, Ill.); 3, [8/DSQ], 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 5, 6, 4: 25 points
2. Karen Mitchell (Deerfield Beach, Fla); 2, 3, 3, [6], 5, 2, 4, 1, 1, 1, 5: 26 points
3. John McRoberts (city, state); 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 5, 5, 6, 5, [8/OCS]: 27T points

2.4MR (5 boats, 11 races, 1 discard)
1. John Ruf (Pewaukee, Wisc.); [1], 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1: 10 points
2. Kristi Walker (Chicago, Ill.); 2, 2, 3, 3, [6/DNS], 4, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3: 27points
3. Nigist Legesse Sewnnet (city, Canada); 3, 4, 4, 2, 2, [5], 4, 2, 2, 4, 4: 31 points

Sonar (4 boats, 11 races, 1 discard)
1. Ken Kelly/Don Terlson/ Marc Shaw (city, Canada); [2], 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1: 13 points
2. Albert Foster/Jimmie Thweatt/David Burdette (city,); 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, [2]: 16 points
3. Julia Dorsett/Brenda Hopkin/Neil Mechlin; 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, [4], 3, 3, 3, 3, 3: 30 points

[ ] indicates discard
OCS – On the Course Side of the starting line
DSQ – Disqualified
DNS – Did Not Start

For more information on the NACC and for all the final results and event photos go to www.chicagoyachtclub.org.