Center Sound Series Finale - Three Tree Points Race

Center Sound Series Finale - Three Tree Points Race © Arden Rathkopf

The third and final race of the Center Sound Series took place this past weekend on Puget Sound. In the end, the Corinthian YC of Seattle managed to run three good, challenging races, giving the sailors all they could bargain for, from fast drifting, to hiking hard in 15-25 kts breezes.

Overall, the J/Teams faired well, collecting a significant amount of silverware and pickle dishes for their trophy rooms.

In the "big boat" PHRF 0 Class, it was another strong performance for the J/160 JAM, the only certifiable "cruising" boat in a division largely populated by offshore racings machines like TP52's and other 44 to 55 footers. In the end, the Fox/McPhail duo on JAM managed a 4th place, but was just one point shy of second place! It was very close racing amongst the big boats.

The PHRF 2 Class was populated by a quartet of well-sailed J/80s, sweeping their class. First was Phil Dean's RUSH, followed in second by John Sezer's Reckless, third was David Schutte's Taj Mahal and fourth was Rick Demmler's Tastes Like Chicken.

PHRF 4 CLASS was the one-design J/105 class. The top five saw a familiar face at the front of the fleet, showing their transom to everyone else most of the series. Winning was Erik Kristen's MORE Jubilee, followed in second by Bucky Rezabek's RACERS FORMALLY KNOWN AS HERE&NOW, then Chris Phoenix's Jaded in third, Tom Kerr's Corvo 105 in fourth, and Allen Hughes/ Shauna Walgren's Creative rounding out the top five.

PHRF 6 Class was treated to J/35 domination; proof an old warhorse like the 35 can sail fast on all points of sail. Winning was Don Leighton's J/35 Tahlequah, while Tyson Varosyan's J/35 Solution placed fifth.

Finally, the battle of the 40-footers took place in PHRF 8 Class. Placing fourth was Dougherty and Andrews J/125 Hamachi and fifth was Andy Mack's J/122 Grace.

More information at racing.cycseattle.org/results/registrants-results