Clarke and Bjorn Sailing Team Key West winners

by Lynn Fitzpatrick on 22 Jan 2011 Clarke/Bjorn Sailing Team is on a regatta-a-week regimen. After a weekend Star regatta and an offshore sprint from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, Richard Clarke and Tyler Bjorn pulled out a victory in Key West 2011’s IRC1 Division aboard Vela Veloce, Richard Oland’s Holland 52. The dynamic duo arrived in Miami on Friday evening to a Star boat that was rigged and ready to go for a practice sail before the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, which begins on Monday and runs through Saturday, January 29th.

Vela Veloce posted a 2,1 on during the first two races on Friday in Key West to go into the last race 2 points behind the leader, Anema Core, a JV 52. Having clinched second place, Vela Veloce’s crew proved once again that when the chips are down they pull together as a team and often prevail. Vela Veloce rattled Anema Core in a pre-start tassel before the final race and it was game over at the weather mark when Aneama Core ended up in a massive collision. The Italians never recovered from their penalty turns and the Canadians pulled out yet another regatta victory.

'We made fewer mistakes and were in our comfort zone. We started well and sailed well,' said Clarke.

Bjorn gave his assessment of the final race, 'They helped us.'

Thanks to coach, Steve Mitchell, the Clarke/Bjorn Sailing Team can get a good night’s rest knowing that their Star boat is ready for Saturday’s practice racing in Miami . 'We can’t say enough good things about Stevie. He adds so much to this team. Our off season was devoted to preparation and Steve was instrumental in that. And then to have Tyler, who is ‘organization’ personified is awesome. I am lucky to have such a good friend collaborating with me on all of the programs. Whether he is in the hobbles and harness or working the grinding pedestal, our communication is becoming telepathic,' said Clarke.

Bjorn finished Clarke’s thought, 'Our communications are improving everyday and it gives us the opportunity to work on perfecting technique and fleet management. We expect incremental improvements as we go forward, although we would be willing to sacrafice some height for speed.'

The 2011 Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta begins on Monday, January 24 and runs through January 29th. Follow Richard and Tyler’s performance in the only ISAF World Cup event in North America on the team website.

http://www.clarkebjornsailing.com/