Gary Tisdale's First Today hangs on to narrow lead in Beneteau 36.7 NA

by Greg Nicoll on 11 Sep 2011 Day 2 of the Beneteau North American 36.7 Championships at the National Yacht Club, in Toronto sponsored by Barbados Department of Tourism were sailed in a lesser breeze than day one and turned the fleet upside down but in the end the top three boats; First Today, Zingara and Grizzly held on to their 1/2/ 3 positions.

The first start was delayed as the wind oscillated between 035 and 065 degrees, but then settled in at 060 with a 10-12 breeze. The PRO set the first weather leg at 1.7 miles. The wind clocked right then tapered off. The fleet was spread out with the time between first finisher and last being 45 minutes. The left side of the course paid big time and there was a lot of interesting mark roundings to keep crews on their toes.

The first race was won by First Today Skippered by defending North American Champion Gary Tisdale from Youngstown Yacht Club followed by Grizzly with Charles Bayer from Bayview Yacht Club and in third place was Juliet helmed by Jeffrey Birchell from Toronto.

The second race had the wind moving from 135 – 175 that made a for some new faces crossing the line in the top spots. In the fading wind the PRO shortened the course from 1.75 miles to 1.1 miles and the finish was shortened to only three legs. Winner of race six was John Fromen on Type A from Orchard Park New York.

With two more days of racing only four points separate the top threeboats.

Also in a very competitive environment the championship of the regatta’s ball hockey tournament between the boat teams is being played out. The final game between the top Canadian team against the top US team is scheduled for Saturday between 1600 hours and 1800 hours. So far on the none of the sailors playing seen holding sticks rather than sheets for this championship have called for starboard or asked for room in front of the net. More to follow!