Bermuda International Invitational - J24 Erin sinks in 30 knot broach

by Talbot Wilson on 28 Apr 2010 It was Winds one, Yachts zero today as Tim Lynch’s J24, Erin, took a death roll and sank on the last leg of race five of Bermuda International Invitational Race Week regatta. Erin was flying downwind under spinnaker in 30 knots of wind on Bermuda’s Great Sound. She took a knockdown and stuck her mast in the water. The cockpit and cabin flooded almost immediately.

No one was injured. Lynch and his crew Barry Surbuchen, Steven Musicant, Natalie Luthi, and Tiffany Wardman were picked up quickly by chase boats on the course. Several racing boats diverted to render assistance as well. Efforts to raise Erin from about fifty feet of water continued on Tuesday afternoon.

In other sailing action today, Eugene “Penny” Simmons, his crew Sacha Simmons, Steven King, Steven King, Steve Mohr and D’Arcey Betschart got one step closer to winning the seven-race IOD “A” Series. They also lead in the overall competition for the Vrengen Gold Cup Trophy. Today Simmons sailed Bounty (IOD 10) to a first and third and now has seven points. He leads the Peckham/Carver team by three points. Tony Huston and Patrick Cooper are tied in third with 22 each.

In the J24’s, Colorado’s Scott Snyder sailed two more excellent races. Snyder has a perfect slate of first place finishes so far this week. He has scored one, one, one, one, one for five points, four with his dropped race.

Peter Rich of the Severn Sailing association in Annapolis Maryland climbed into second place with 11 points. Trevor Boyce fell to seventh place after taking two RAF’s due to rule infractions in both races. Sean McDermott moved into third place with 13 points.

Rockal Evans slipped into the front in the Laser Class. Today he took a third, a second and a first for 15 points after dropping his worst finish. Brett Wright moved into second with 16 points and Malcolm Smith stands third with 18.

In the Etchells Class, Bermudian Martin Vezina held on to first place with a one, three for the day, he has nine points. Malcolm Graham-Taylor and Tim Patton are both one point back with 10 points each.

The J105 class liked the high winds again. Allan Williams, skipper of Not Mine for the day, got a one, three and is now in a tie with Chuck Millican in Elusive, both with eight points. James MacDonald, still in third place now has 13 points.

Tonight is the Bacardi® Rock on the Dock BBQ at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. No races are scheduled for Wednesday, so racing continues at 11:00 Thursday. Breezy conditions are expected to continue but nothing like the 30 knot wind on the course today. Forecasters say winds will moderate to 15-20 knots for Thursday and Friday.

Racing starts at 1100hrs on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for both courses.

Bacardi presents a daily prize at the RBYC Terrace Bar post race party. The Bacardi Sailing Spirit Prize, for the day’s significant sailing achievement, is awarded ceremoniously each afternoon.

The Prize Giving Party at RBYC concludes Race Week on Friday the 30th of April. In addition to the fantastic sailing competition, the week is sprinkled with fleet parties.