2000 North American Championships

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Sailing

What an incredible event! Santa Cruz seems like a Mecca for North American 505 sailors, apparently forever sunny and warm -- endless summer -- and just past mile buoy, WINDY! The entire event -- including the practice race/day -- was sailed in 18-25+ knots, though some races featured holes with rather less breeze.

The classic Santa Cruz weather pattern described by Bruce Edwards did hold, though with a little more than the predicted 12-18 knots, and with the lighter wind towards the shore (also described by Bruce) affecting several races, and making picking one's way up some of the beats and runs quite a challenge. This light-air-to-the-right phenomenon also affected gate starts, with the entire fleet trying to start at the end of the gate when conditions suggested going right, and most trying to gate early when lighter air inshore and to the right could be seen.

Apart from some interesting holes and shifts in two races, the dead zone moved out into the race course in one race, causing the middle and back of the fleet to hoist spinnakers as what should have been a final beat turned into a light air run. A number of teams were unable to finish within the timelimit and were scored DNF for this race.

Even if the race course was entirely within the strong sea breeze (so you could go right), one still had to sail through the dead zone between shore and sea breezes on the way out for the race, and on the way back in.

Upwind, you would sail up and then down huge waves, some breaking nearby. It was hard to see the marks in the waves, and sometimes hard to see other 505s! Downwind, well, WOOOOWWWWWW!!!!! I remember pushing the bow down over the crest of a wave and wondering how far down the trough was - it felt a little like looking at a street from the top of a skyscraper! There was enough wind to reach-run almost all the time, so almost all the runs were very fast, and sailed with crews on the wire and spinnaker pole's on the forestay.

Waterat 8266, Spaceman Spiff a.k.a. Pink Boat carbon fiber transom flaps, G10 plate to stop rudder fitting bolts chewing into the transom

Great Club

For the non-Californians in the large fleet, this event was a reminder of what a great place to race 505s Santa Cruz is, and what a great club to race 505s from, the Santa Cruz Yacht Club is. Some competitors were fortunate enough to be put up on boats in the harbor -- after staying on a 44 foot Hatteras powerboat for the week, I've had to reconsider my aversion to power boats -- which made eating and partying at the club after racing, even more attractive.

Extraordinary Turnout

No one at the event could remember for sure when the last 45 team-or-larger 505 North American Championship took place. We're not counting those NAs when they are also the pre-worlds, with many who came in for the worlds also racing the pre-worlds/North Americans, but rather the "real" North American championships. We think Barrington RI in 1987 was over 40, but we don't know if it was 45 or over. This turnout was exceptional and a testament to the renewed strength of the 505 class in North America. It is extraordinary when one considers that not all 505 sailors prefer windy, cold venues like Santa Cruz, and the venue probably "scared off" a number of less experienced competitors who would have preferred a somewhat warmer and less windy site. Maybe we'll get 50 plus 505s if we can get a slightly less intimidating venue!

Depth

The depth in the fleet has to be remarked upon. The current 505 World Champions, Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin, were both there, though now each steering a 505. Lest you think these two teams are weaker than Mike and Howard were together, Mike teamed up with Steve Bourdow (an Olympic medalist in the FD Class, and a top Laser racer), while Howard teamed up with Peter Alarie (who has won the 505 NAs 3 times, with two different drivers, and finished second once before, with yet another driver). The second place team at the 1999 Worlds was racing at this NAs. Jeff Miller, a three-time 505 North American champion was there, so was Macy Nelson, another three-time North American Champion. Other standouts in the fleet included past 505 World Champion Ethan Bixby, Olympian (Laser) Nick Adamson, top UK 505 sailor Mike Holt, College Sailor of the Year 1995, Ryan Cox, past 470 North American Champion Tim Collins, past Fireball North American champion Henry Amthor, Albacore Canadian, US and North American Champion, Barney Harris, Laser star Matt McQueen, junior stars Joey Pasquali and Rory Giffin (they had to leave the event early to race for the Bemis trophy (US Sailing Junior Double Handed Championship), which they are leading as I write this, and more.

Lots of Newcomers

But the 505 class is not just about rockstars, and the number of newcomers to the 505 class who made it to Santa Cruz was just as impressive. Catherine Viechnicki/Steven Long (Midwest) were there with the late '80s Parker they recently bought. Father-and-son team Steve and Josh Lieberman (second year in 505s) were one of the ten East Coast teams that shipped their boats to Santa Cruz for the event. Another new East Coast team racing were brothers Ted and JB Ferrarone, a third new East Coast team was Dustin Romey/Karl Krauss. The growing San Diego fleet was represented by newcomers Bill Jenkins/Dan Merino (as well as Dave Chatham/Matt McQueen who have been in the class a little longer), Denver by newcomer Erik Cockburn (and lifer Dick Peck racing with newcomer to sailing Allan Wilson), while the renewed Pacific Northwest fleet was represented by Paul VonGrey and Peter Tuck. Closer to the event, Californians Doug Hagen, Bailey White, Evert Meyer, Chris Hanke, Joey Pasquali, Rory Giffen, Charlie Boukather, Jeff Nelson, Dan Strellis, Kirstin Guinther, Grant Murray, and Ian West-Lewis are all recent additions to the 505 class.

For a complete profile of competitors at the NAs, including age, height, weight, years of 505 experience (ranges from zero to 35!), years of sailing experience, builder of boat, mast, sails, etc., check the Competitor Information table.

Team Tuesday

Team Tuesday (the Long Beach guys who practice together every Tuesday evening) took 3 of the top 4 places at this NAs (and 1,2 at the 1999 worlds in France). This is a very strong testament to their approach, and creates a very interesting build up to the "show down" in Durban at the 2000 Worlds. With Ian Pinnell/Nic Powell going very fast in the UK and Europe, Ian Barker coming back after doing the Olympics in 49ers, as well as top Swedish, German, French, Australian, and Swiss teams expected, the upcoming worlds should be a VERY interesting event.

Good 505s Last Forever

Once again the amazing longevity of the US built superboats was demonstrated, as Hamlin 7201 (built about 1980) was 4th, and Waterat 7349 (built 1981) was 5th.

But you don't need a superboat! The non-superboats (not fully cored epoxy construction) were at the event in force, with Rondar 6227 and Kyrwoods 7613 and 7886 all racing.

There were new 505s as well, with two of the three KISS Rondars in North America racing (actually the fourth was rigged for the owners who just bought it, a couple of days before the regatta started), and a couple of recent Waterats.

Post Race Debriefings

Each afternoon, after racing and the daily prize drawings, the top finishers were debriefed by the fleet. Each team would describe their tuning setup in detail (referencing the tuning matrix and numbering scheme that most competitors used), and their tactics. It was amazing listening to (for example) Mike Martin say the "ram was at 10" and have at least 3/4 of the fleet know exactly what he means, and be able to reproduce exactly the same setting.

Social

In addition to two BBQs at SCYC, and lots of free drink tickets, competitors took advantage of nearby Santa Cruz drinking and dining establishments. If you were wondering where someone was, you could probably find them at either the Seabright Brewery, or "The Yacht Club", a nearby bar.

The relatively leisurely race times -- first gun 12:50 -- made for fun evenings and leisurely mornings before racing. Apparently one group of competitors went surfing early one morning.

Thanks

The key organizer behind this event was Bruce Edwards. Thanks Bruce! The PRO was Dave Wahle of Guerilla Race Management. A significant number of other people helped run the event, measured sails, and opened their homes and boats to vistors. Thanks to all of you!

Ali Meller
VP International 505 Class Yacht Racing Association

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More Race by Race Description

2000 505 North American Championship

45 teams raced the 2000 North American Championship held at the Santa Cruz Yacht club (also host of the 1992 505 Worlds) in Santa Cruz CA, August 10-13. No one could remember when the last time such a large fleet (for a not-also-pre-worlds) North American Championship had been assembled, attesting to the current strength of the 505 Class. The talent and depth in the fleet was one of the strongest gathered in the class' US history, competitors included many past World/North American/and Olympic Sailors. Entries hailed from all over the US, Canada, & England. The regatta was a 7 race, 1 throwout series over four days, sponsored by the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, West Marine, Ronstan, and Ullman Sails.

Day 1: Race 1 started in a building 15 to 18 knot breeze. Early leaders around the first triangle were Santa Cruz locals Bruce Edwards/Dave Shelton, but Mike Martin ('99 World Champion crew) crewed by Steve Bourdow (FD Medalist) of Seal Beach, CA/Palo Alto, CA passed the local duo on the last downwind leg to take race 1. Edwards/Shelton were 2nd, while Howard Hamlin ('99 505 World Champion driver and 18' skiff European Champion) of Long Beach CA, now racing with Peter Alarie of Bristol, RI, were 3rd. UK 505 sailor Mike Holt, racing with Jay Kuncl, was 4th.

Race 2 started in 18 to 22 knots. The first triangle was led by Canadian Robin Brown and crew John Fry of Seattle WA. They held off Hamlin/Alarie until the last beat when Hamlin/Alarie slipped by for the win. Brown/Fry were 2nd, Danny Thompson/Andy Zinn of Long Beach 3rd, while Martin/Bourdow were 4th.

Day2: Day two had 15-24 knot winds with thick fog at times and large waves. The first race of the day was won by Mike Martin & Steve Bourdow narrowly over Hamlin/Alarie, with Edwards/Shelton 3rd and Thompson/Zinn 4th. As typically happens at Santa Cruz, the wind was stronger at the windward mark than the leeward mark. The windward and gybe marks were hidden in fog, making navigation skills important in this race.

Hamlin/Alarie struck back, taking race 4 narrowly from Edwards/Shelton, Martin/Bourdow were 3rd and Thompson/Zinn 4th.

The 45 boat fleet reveled in the fantastic wind and wave conditions. The racing was followed by the daily "de-brief" session that has the top three in each race talk about their set up in detail and their tactical decisions for the day. This sharing of information continues to improve the North American standard of 505 racing.

Day 3: Martin/Bourdow took race 5, with the runner up team at the 1999 Worlds, Andy Beeckman/Ben Benjamin 2nd after missing the previous two races due to a breakdown. Hamlin/Alarie were 3rd and Edwards/Shelton 4th. These results had Martin/Bourdow and Hamlin/Alarie tied (counting all races). Martin/Bourdow broke the tie and clinched 1st place overall by winning race 6. Edwards/Shelton were 2nd, while Olympian (Laser) Nick Adamson and Alan Norman were 3rd, and Hamlin/Alarie 4th. These results determined the top 3 places with one race still to go. Mike Martin made history as the only back to back 505 NA's winner as crew one year and skipper the next. Hamlin/Alarie could not lose 2nd, while Edwards/Shelton were assured of 3rd overall.

The conditions were again spectacular as the strong 45-boat fleet raced for the 3rd straight day on Monterey Bay. Sailing was 505 nirvana again with 18 to 22 knot winds and large seas. The major topic of discussion at the post racing de-brief was heavy air techniques and rig set-ups.

Day 4: Mike Martin returned to crewing as Martin/Bourdow switched places in the boat. The breeze was lighter for race 7, with "holes" all the way to the windward mark. Hamlin/Alarie pulled away from their pursuers and won easily. Bourdow/Martin retired as the wind got lighter on the last beat. Santa Cruz locals Jeff Miller/Paul Allen were 2nd, Holt/Kuncl 3rd, and Edwards/Shelton 4th.

This left the final standings as Mike Martin & Steve Bourdow(Seal Beach, CA/Palo Alto, CA) 1st. In second place overall was Howard Hamlin & Peter Alarie (Long Beach, CA/Bristol RI), followed by Bruce Edwards & Dave Shelton(Santa Cruz, CA/Santa Cruz, CA) in third, Danny Thompson & Andy Zinn (Newport Beach, CA/Long Beach, CA) in fourth, and Mike Holt & Jay Kuncl (Leigh-on-Sea, UK/ Palo Alto, CA) in fifth. Complete results on the web.

Other trophy winners were Bill Jenkins & Dan Merino (San Diego, CA/ San Diego, CA) for both the Vintage Boat Award (they raced Lindsay 505 6991) and the Dave Cahn Memorial Trophy for outstanding sportsmanship in the US 505 Class. Paul Tara & Phil Vandenberg (Ben Lomond, CA/ Santa Cruz, CA) won a brand new Ullman jib for the highest score while still finishing all races.

The 45-boat fleet had competitors from the east coast, mid-west, west coast, Canada and the UK as well as California. Thirteen of the competitors attending the NA's will be attending the 2000 505 World Championships to be held in November at Durban, South Africa.

The 505 class is not just about "rockstars", and the number of recent newcomers to the 505 class who made it to Santa Cruz was just as impressive, with more than 25 of the competitors new to the 505 class within the last two years. For a complete profile of competitors at the 505 NAs, including age, height, weight, years of 505 experience (ranges from zero to 35!), years of sailing experience, builder of boat, mast, sails, etc., check the Competitor Information table.