Experience beats Seasoned Veteran and Rising Star

by Lynn Fitzpatrick on 8 Mar 2007
Rather than paying attention to shifts, pressure and clouds Wednesday afternoon, I thought about the broad range of competitors participating in the Bacardi Cup. Yes, over twenty countries are represented. Yes, nearly thirty teams from throughout the US are here.

Financial advisors, manufacturers, retirees, boat builders, sail makers and full time sailors are here as well as a number of healthy and wealthy retirees. Most of them tell me that they are single. Maybe sometime this week I’ll take a legitimate poll to find out the truth.

At the final leeward mark Experience lead, Seasoned Veteran was second and Rising Star was third. Translation – John Dane and Austin Sperry, Sally’s father and husband, were in first. The pair is currently ranked first on the US Olympic Team. Unlike some of the other teams vying to represent the US in the Star Class, this team should remain cemented together through the trials. Trinity Yachts, the Gulf Coast’s post-Katrina recovery poster child, is taking orders for delivery in 2010. (He has a bit of time on his hands given Trinity’s order back log.) They won the Bacardi Cup in 2004.

Mark Reynolds and Hal Haenel were in second place. Mark has won two gold stars, has represented the US four times in the Star Class at the Olympics, and has won two Olympic gold medals and one silver medal. Tito Bacardi has presented the Trofeo Bacardi to Mark seven times; the record for the event. Hal Haenel has won an Olympic gold medal, an Olympic silver medal and one gold star. Tito has also shaken Hal’s hand as a crew, more times than any other crew’s (three times). Thanks to Mark’s Quantum loft in San Diego, with the help of George Szabo, there are more Quantum sails in the fleet than any other.

Rising Star (with the long name) Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Dominik Zycki moved from the Finn Class to the Star Class at the beginning of this Olympic quadrennium. They have been sailing the boat for a year and a half and are always formidable competition. Mateusz won an Olympic gold medal in the Finn.

Now as for age in the fleet – so as not to give away any secrets, I’ll use combined age. Sunday’s winners – 71, Monday’s winners – 117, Tuesday’s winners - 78, Wednesday’s winners – 99, Harry Walker (Exalted Grand Master) and Darren Jensen – 125. More on age later this week. I’m sure that we’ll sort out which team is the combined oldest and which is the youngest by the end of the regatta. Once they start sailing a Star, they’re hooked forever.

By the time I wandered up to the finish line, Rising Star had overtaken Seasoned Veteran and Experience retained the lead.

I’m keeping an eye on Iain Murray. He hasn’t been in the limelight, but he’s been consistent and is always threatening the leaders, especially on the downwind legs. Prof O’Connell, the winning Irish skipper of the first race had back problems and headed in before the second general recall. Only one boat was scored ZFP after three attempts to get off a start.

Bacardi Cup Day 4
1. Dane/Sperry 2. Kusznierewicz/Zycki. 3. Reynolds/Haenal. 4. Melleby/Pedersen. 5. Bromby/McNiven.