Clean victory for NYYC's George Hinman in Masters

by Michelle Slade on 16 Oct 2006 Sailors racing in the third day of the 28th Annual International Masters Regatta, sponsored by Fremont Bank, got more than a taste of fall as cold, cloudy and drizzly conditions descended upon the race course on San Francisco Bay for the final day of racing.

Nonetheless, it did not spoil a well-deserved victory for George R. Hinman, Commodore of the New York Yacht Club, and his crew, taking two bullets and a second place over three days, and the Masters Regatta Trophy. Hinman was assisted by local J105 star and St. Francis Yacht Club member Chris Perkins calling tactics.

Juggling for position in the top three throughout the regatta, Dick Tillman overcame Regatta founder and Bay local, Don Trask to take second overall, with Trask placing third.

The final day’s racing began in 10-12 knots of westerly breeze and a 1.5 knot ebb. While there was a good opportunity for OCS at the start, the fleet racing in identical J105s, behaved, with Don Trask (St. Francis Yacht Club) winning the start at the committee boat and forcing Ron Holland to tack away.

Typically in Sunday’s conditions one would expect the beach to pay on the first run, however more pressure in the middle of the course made this run a very challenging tactical part of the race. It appeared that significant gains were made outside with more pressure. After three days of racing it was clear that the pressure was on and for the first time during the regatta the boats arrived at the gate close, splitting the gate evenly.

The second beat saw the leaders going out to the right side in stronger current. A shifting breeze by the second run saw the St Francis Yacht Club Race Committee changing the course to 240 degrees, which also resulted in squaring the run for the finish to the race deck of the St FYC.

Adding to the luster of three days of great sailing was the participation by well known and world class sailors including Stan Honey (navigator aboard ABN AMRO, winner of the 2005-6 Volvo Ocean Race), Russ Silvestri, renown naval architect and designer Ron Holland, and Dave Irish, former US Sailing President and now Vice President of ISAF.

Overall Results
1. George Hinman, Commodore NYYC, with crew Peter Benedetto, Phil Lotz, Wendy Lotz & Chris Perkins.

2. Dick Tillman; crew: Matt Carter, David Lapier (St FYC): laser sailor Tracy Usher & Star sailor Peter Vesella.

3. Don Trask (St FYC); crew: Jon Andron, John Buestad, Wendy Miller, & Russ Silvestri.

4. Malin Burnham; crew: Chris Boome, John Claude, Joe McCoy and John Ravizza.

5. Ray Lotto (Vice Commodore St FYC); crew: Dave Hodges, Doug Kirk, Chris Raab & Tad Lacey (St FYC).

6. John Scarborough (San Francisco YC Commodore); crew: Bill Clausen, Jim Lindsay, Gordy Nash & Ruth Suzuki.

7. Ron Holland; crew: Micky Caldwell, Neil Kenefick, Joxer O'Brien, Steve Taft (Staff Commodore St FYC), & Gary Wisman.

8. Bruce Munro (Staff Commodore St FYC); crew: Peter Cameron, Jim Coggan, Paul Heineken, Randy Smith.

9. Dave Irish; crew: Dave McVicker, Stan & Sally Honey,& Sue Stewart.

(For full results posted daily, visit www.stfyc.com, click on Regatta Information and Masters Regatta).

About Fremont Bank
Fremont Bank (www.fremontbank.com) is proud to present the 2006 Masters Regatta and has committed to present the event again in 2007. Fremont bank is a full service community bank, focusing on personalized service for individuals and small business in the Bay Area. Founded in 1964, Fremont Bank is one of the oldest independently-owned and managed banks in Northern California. It serves communities through 24 branches and many ATMs.

About the St. Francis Yacht Club
Founded in 1927, the St. Francis Yacht Club is steeped in over 75 years of yachting and racing traditions. From the start, the St. Francis Yacht Club's membership roster has included many of the Bay Area's most prominent citizens and greatest sailors. Early racers for the St. Francis included such champions as L.A. Norris, Mark Fontana, Myron Spaulding, Arthur Rousseau, Painless Parker and Lester Stone. Today, it is names like Paul Cayard, John Kostecki, John Bertrand, Stan Honey, Morgan Larson, and Russ Silvestri who continue to keep the St. Francis name in the forefront of world-class sailing. The annual regatta schedule at the St. Francis is one of the most aggressive regatta calendars in the world. Part of the attraction of racing at St. Francis Yacht Club is the excellent and challenging racing conditions unique to San Francisco Bay. With the skyline of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop, the St. Francis Yacht Club prides itself on being able to provide all visitors with every comfort and amenity while dazzling them with their surroundings.