NYYC 172nd Annual Regatta 12 Metre Recap
The Newport race season kicked off with the New York Yacht Club 172nd Annual Regatta, beginning with Friday’s 27-nautical-mile Around the Island Race, which drew more than 140 boats across multiple classes, before two days of around-the-buoys racing.
Six 12 Metres took to the water, with Onawa joining the CRF Classic B division and finishing second overall in a class that included the world-renowned Spartan and Dorade.
Friday — Around the Island Race
Intrepid got away early, while a close tacking duel developed behind between Columbia, Weatherly, American Eagle, and Nefertiti during the opening upwind leg.
“We focused on stretching our lead up the weather leg. A key tactical decision was tacking to port before getting too far toward Hammersmith Farm. As the southerly shifted, Intrepidwas lifted toward Beavertail, nearly laying the bell buoy(windward mark).” — Scott Perry, tactician aboard Intrepid
Downwind, Weatherly showed impressive speed, staying on the heels of Intrepid as the two pulled away from the fleet. Intrepid went on to take the win, followed by Columbia and American Eagle, while Weatherly was forced to withdrawnafter missing a mark on the opening upwind leg.
Saturday & Sunday — Around-the-Buoys
Four short-course races followed over the weekend, with Saturday producing the most challenging conditions. A fighting northerly and building sea breeze created large shifts in both direction and velocity, forcing crews to constantly change gears and search for pressure across the course. Columbia mastered the difficult conditions, combining smart tactics with consistently strong starts from skipper Kevin Hegarty to take three bullets from four races and secure the overall victory. Intrepid finished second, with Nefertiti third.
Returning after an extensive two-year refit, Weatherly was snakebitten by gear failures and retirements throughout the weekend. Despite the results, once she found her groove, Weatherly showed impressive speed and was able to run with the leaders — a welcome return for the historic 12 Metre.