Shark Kahn serves notice for Etchells Worlds

by Rob Kothe on 2 Sep 2005 In the final pre-World’s event, the Easom Founders Cup, sailed out of San Francisco Yacht Club last weekend, 15 year Samuel Kahn (better know as Shark), teamed with Jeff Madrigali, Brian Lee and Australia’s Adrian Finglas to win from local speedsters Peter Vessella and Jeff Pate.

His father Philippe Kahn finished fourth ahead of Houston sailor Martin Beckman and Denis Conner.

Even before his 1,2,5 finish in the Easom Founders, he was considered amongst the favourites for the 2005 Etchells Worlds which starts next Monday 5th September on the Berkeley Circle.

It’s been a fast track to the top for the tall young man who sails out of Waikiki Yacht Club. Shark learn to sail on a Hawaiian outrigger canoe and burst onto the world sailing scene winning the 2003 Melges 24 World Championship.

Since then he has sailed offshore with the very successful Pegasus racing team and raced Mumm 30’s 18 footers and 49ers, to distinction.

As one dockside pundit commented on the weekend ‘Look out for fast shark in San Francisco Bay next week.’

Conditions were certain as expected for this time of year, as Easoms Founder series PRO Bill Gage reported.

'Winds were about 12 at the start of the day, and built to about 20-22.

Pretty good Bay chop at the end. Fog was not an issue.

'Winds were pretty consistent out of about 205-215-- didn't require moving the course during the day. '

Lets hope we see similar conditions next week.

For more news on the San Francisco Etchells Worlds www.sfetchells.org



AUGUST 27-28, 2005
Easom Founders Results

CUMULATIVE RESULTS...Fin = Finish Position ... Pts. = Points
NOR = No Race...DNS = Did Not Start...DNF = Did Not Finish...OCS = On the Course Side... DSQ = Disqualified... DND = Disqualified but Not Discardable

SKIPPER BOAT # CLUB RACE 1 RACE 2 RACE 3 RACE 4 . TOTALS
Fin Pts. Fin Pts. Fin Pts. Fin Pts. Pts. POS.

SHARK KAHN PEGASUS 1278 1278 WAIKIKI YC 1 1 2 2 5 5 1 1 9 1

PETER VESSELLA MAHALAGA 1168 ST.FYC 3 3 6 6 1 1 2 2 12 2

JEFF PATE 873 6 6 9 9 2 2 8 8 25 3

PHILIPPE KAHN PEGASUS 1226 1226 WAIKIKI Y.C. 5 5 10 10 6 6 4 4 25 4

MARVIN BECKMANN KEEP SMILING 1232 HOUSTON YC 4 4 5 5 7 7 11 11 27 5

DENNIS CONNER THE CROC 1060 SAN DIEGO 9 9 3 3 14 14 9 9 35 6

CRAIG HEALY I LOVE MY WIFE 946 SFYC 2 2 8 8 20 20 6 6 36 7

BRIAN THOMAS YEAH BABY 1210 SDYC 12 12 4 4 12 12 12 12 40 8

RUSS SILVESTRI LEVERAGE 1279 ST.FYC 8 8 17 17 8 8 7 7 40 9

HANK LAMMENS CRUEL JANE 1298 10 10 19 19 9 9 10 10 48 10