505 North American Championships in Annapolis
by Richard Gibson 27 Oct 2007 00:41 NZDT
26 October 2007
Erik Boothe and Ethan Bixby win the North American Championships using Seldén spars © Allen Clark /
www.PhotoBoat.com
Seldén would like to congratulate 505 sailors, Erik Boothe and Ethan Bixby who have succeeded in winning the 2007 505 North American Championships using Seldén spars.
The fleet descended upon Annapolis for the 2007 International 505 North American Championship. Competitors hailed from as far away as Germany, the UK, Canada, and the West Coast of California.
Tyler Moore and Jesse Falsone took race 1 in a day typical of Annapolis conditions that featured a long postponement for breeze and shifty conditions once the wind arrived. On Day 2, in a lumpy 7-10 knot southerly, Ethan Bixby and Erik Boothe skillfully ripped off three bullets to take a four-point lead to the disappointment of Moore and Falsone. To everyone’s much relief, Day 3 brought a consistent 12 knot southerly breeze. With breeze strong enough for reach-running, the Race Committee opted for a long Worlds course. Californians Mike Martin and Jeff Nelson, renown for their heavy-air dominance, took the fifth race. Following that race, the southerly dropped off a bit, and Bixby and Boothe secured their lead in the regatta overtaking the German team of Boris Herrmann and Julien Kleiner for the bullet. With Boothe and Bixby’s scores, they mathematically locked up the title even with one race remaining. Friday’s final race brought breezy conditions allowing Mike Martin to rip off an incredible lead with the Kattack showing Martin with a 1-knot speed advantage over the other competitors.
This marks the fourth North American Championship for Bixby and the first for Boothe. Bixby is no spring chicken to the fleet, winning his first title 31 years ago, but his last win of the title was back in 1989 with Cam Lewis when Boothe was just ten-year-old Opti kid back on the Gulf-Coast.
Top 5 finishers are as follows:
Bixby/Boothe
Herrmann/Kleiner
Moore/Falsone
Martin/Nelson
Miller/Allen
For more information on our spars, or to find out where our dealers are located, please check out www.seldenmast.com.
About Seldén Mast Limited
Seldén Mast Limited is part of the Seldén Group, the world’s largest sparmaker. Seldén makes over 40% of all new yacht and dinghy masts sold worldwide.
Seldén Mast Limited design, develop and manufacture aluminium and carbon fibre masts, booms and poles for boats up to 70ft. They also distribute their renowned Furlex furling systems and rodkickers. Seldén Masts can be found on boats ranging from Olympic medal winning dinghies to the world’s best-known production yachts.
In 2004 Seldén Mast Limited moved to a new purpose-built factory in Gosport, England. Over £4.5m was invested in the 4860sqm (52000 sq. ft) facility that houses a custom made filament winding machine and a 20m autoclave to make carbon spars, as well as equipment to taper and heat treat aluminium masts.
Seldén Mast is committed to providing racing and cruising sailors with technically advanced, reliable and good-value products. Recent innovations include ultimate adjustable dinghy spreaders, electric Furlex headsail furling and carbon spars for IRC race boats.
For further information or to arrange a visit to their facility contact Richard Gibson, Sales Manager on +44 (0) 1329 504017 or .
For more information on our spars, or to find out where our dealers are located, please check out www.seldenmast.com.