Day 2 of the Helly Hansen Annapolis NOOD Regatta brought challenging conditions with light wind across all of the race courses.
By
Photos by Paul Todd
Updated: May 1, 2016
John White, skipper of J/80 US 1162 has taken the fleet by storm, winning two of four races for a total of nine points.Paul Todd / Outside Images
“When you get a bad start, it’s easier to find a good lane. In a big fleet, all you can do is pray for a miracle. In our last race, we had a bad start, but we were able to get clear air and recovered, finishing second. You can find your lane and go fast, and just play the odds with the craziness in the wind but you can play the odds and make gains.” —Ched Proctor, Main TrimmerPaul Todd / Outside Images
The 19 strong J/105 fleet has provided stiff competition for the challengers hailing as far away as Bermuda. After four races, Jim Konigsberg of Fairfax, VA leads the class with 13 points.Paul Todd / Outside Images
With inconsistent winds and dramatic shifts, gains were made by finding the puffs and protecting against the fleet. For many competitors in smaller fleets, like the Etchells, sailors are just happy to be on the water and sailing.Paul Todd / Outside Images
David McCreight’s J/111, Darkhorse, douses the spinnaker. The J/111 class is new the Annapolis NOOD Regatta this year with six boats competing.Paul Todd / Outside Images
The North Sails Rally provided an opportunity for cruisers and non-one design classes to get on the water and try out racing in a casual event.Paul Todd / Outside Images
Day two of racing at the Helly Hansen Annapolis NOOD brought drier weather and sun, but spotty breeze and tough sailing conditions across all race circles.Paul Todd / Outside Images
The C&C 30 class rounds the windward mark in a tight battle for first. The core group of competitors a the recent class events continue to challenge each other and better the fleet as a whole.Paul Todd / Outside Images
“The class is pretty strong here with a good turnout. The top five boats here were at the midwinters, and I know this group from the NOODs last year and a few other events. It’s a nice group of people. We sail our own race. What other people are doing, especially out here the way the weather has been, you have to ignore most of what is going on around you and sail your own race. In light air, things change very quickly. The key is to not give up. In the last race of the day, we were over early, sailed up wind about a minute, had to turn back, and were dead last. By the time we finished, we were third across the line. Anything can happen. You just keep working and chipping away at it and you can pick them off.” – Terry Flynn, J/22 US 1501Paul Todd / Outside Images
After a surprising lead change after racing led to a mix up at the top yesterday, today’s race in the C&C 30 fleet was of extra importance to the boats now battling for first and second place.Paul Todd / Outside Images
The Helly Hansen Junior Crew from Annapolis Yacht Club has steadily improved over the course of racing, working on boat handling and sail trim to climb through the fleet.Paul Todd / Outside Images