Bermuda International Invitational Race Week - Patton on form

by Talbot Wilson on 23 Apr 2012 During the first day of racing in Bacardi’s Bermuda International Invitational Race Week on Sunday, Bermuda Etchells sailor Tim Patton, with Peter Martin and Hal Kempe as crew, had a top-notch performance. Patton who has been representing Bermuda in international world-class competition took three firsts and a second (1-1-1-2).

Bermuda’s Will Thompson, with Sommers Kempe and Adam Barboza aboard, is right on Patton’s transom. He had three seconds and a first (2-2-2-1) and lays only two points behind.

Patton said the left side of the course in Bermuda’s great sound was a 'big tease.'

'We had the wind figured out today,' Patton said. 'The pressure and direction on the left side seemed good, but we had to decide when to leave the left to hit the coming shift on the right. We were the first boat to bail out and take the new wind. There was also a tidal current coming out of the Granaway Deep and that was a factor to balance with the wind. With seven more races in the Etchells scheduled for Race Week a lot can happen.'

On provisional results, two-time world champion John Burnham representing Fisher’s Island New York leads the A series for the International One Design Class (IOD). The committee got in four races in front of delaying the next racing until Tuesday because of expected wet and windy weather. Burnham had finishes of 1-2-1-2.

John has been racing aboard the wooden S and S classic Dorade in the Caribbean and said, of the IODs, 'I never thought sailing in an IOD would be sailing in a light boat. We were fast today and were back and forth with Giles Peckam who has finishes of 3-1-2-1. We were happy to lead the A Series at this stage. My co-skipper Peter Rugg will be up next.'

Peckham, who represents the Daring Fleet from Cowes, England will be tough competition in the B series and overall for the Vrengen Gold Cup overall prize. Peckham won that trophy three years ago and is anxious to repeat.

On the Bravo course the Lasers and Comets got in five races each. The Comets have been absent from Race Week since 2007 and had nine local boats. Today was the only day they will be racing and Stevie Dickenson and crew Patricia Young were clear winners with a score of 1-1-1-1-7. The highest score will be dropped so they end the regatta with a perfect score.

The Laser Class has the most boats in Race Week with sixteen. Seven are from abroad… the USA and Canada… and they didn’t fare well today. Leaders at this stage are past sunfish world champion Malcolm Smith and two-time defending Race Week champion Rockal Evans led at the end of five races. The Lasers will move to the Alpha course for all following races in the week.

Bacardi’s Bermuda International Invitational Race Week action continues this Tuesday in the waters of Bermuda’s Great Sound. The annual event organized by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club will conclude Friday April 27. The Comets will hold all of their races on the opening Sunday.

Race Week gets started Saturday evening with a welcoming reception for competitors, the race committee, sponsors and guests at Bacardi Headquarters, Tuesday night the social schedule continues as everyone is invited to the RBYC for a 'Cuba Libre' buffet dinner at 6:30PM followed by a Bacardi DJ party on the club terrace. Prizes will be awarded Friday April 27th at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism is the official host for Race Week, Yabsta provides event web hosting and Bermuda Blue has provided regatta wear for event volunteers.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club facilities are open to all during Bacardi’s Bermuda International Invitational Race Week.

Inaugurated by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in 1927, Bermuda International Invitational Race Week presented by Bacardi has become an established international yachting fixture each spring - attracting top skippers from all over the world. Bermuda Premium Spirits Limited, local distributor for Bacardi® rum, is the sponsor and has been for the past 13 years. All classes with an active local racing program in Bermuda may invite international sailors to participate in Bermuda International Invitational Race Week. International participation is required for a fleet to compete.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club facilities are open to all during Bacardi’s Bermuda International Invitational Race Event website