This past weekend saw the return of the Storm Trysail Club’s Ted Hood Regatta to Marblehead Harbor. Under glistening conditions, almost 100 boats participated in various classes over 3 days. The host of the regatta was the Corinthian Yacht Club, while on the water Race Committee duties were shared by Corinthian, Boston, and Eastern Yacht Clubs.
A large contingent of J/70’s, (a 23 foot high speed one-design boat) made up almost half of the fleet racing in this years Ted Hood. Competitors from Europe to South America were on hand to test their skills in Marblehead waters. This weekend was considered a final “tune-up” event for the J/70 World Championships which will take place here in Marblehead September 22 through 29, with 100 boats registered. Winning the J/70 Class was Tim Healy followed closely by Brian Keane in second and Umberto de Luca in third.
In the J/105 Class Mark Masur won the weekend with his team on Two Feathers, followed by Ken Bowden on Knotless taking 2nd place, and Jon Samel on Blown Away in 3rd.
In the Big Boat divisions, ORR Class 1 was won by Betsy McCombs and her crew on Scherherazade. McCombs won in convincing fashion and she and her team are repeat winners from last year. Scherherazade was also awarded the Storm Trysail Club’s Steve Cruse Memorial Trophy which was presented by Steve’s wife Lexi, sons Stevie and Billy, along with Steve’s sister Susie. The Cruse Trophy is awarded by the Storm Trysail Club’s Marblehead Station to a sailor who demonstrates exemplary character or performance during a race or event sailed in Marblehead waters.
Steve Cruse was a world-class off-shore racer for most of his life, a legend in the sail-making industry and a great friend to many. Rich Wilson, the only American to finish the single-handed non-stop Vendee Globe Round the World Race twice, a member of the Marblehead Station and co-presenter of the Cruse award this year, spoke of his wonderful experiences sailing with Steve over the years.
Behind Scherherazade in second place was Escape Velocity 2 Ben Chigier’s Summit 40, followed by Gary Weisberg in Heat Wave.
Class 2 saw Dan Boyd’s team on Wild Thing run away with the 1st Place trophy, with David Powers in Agora in 2nd, and Ward Blodgett and Liz Smith’s Sirocco in 3rd.
Rounding out the ORR Division was Michael Maxwell taking 1st place in Shenanigan in Class 3, with David Smith’s Airodoodle in 2nd and Bob Minelli’s String Theory in 3rd.
The Jib and Main Class was won by Peter Ogren in Menage A Trois, followed by Linda Hosking in Ares.
The Ted Hood Regatta included a double-handed overnight race on Friday night which was won by Jonathan Green in Privateer. Saraband driven by Elke Backman was second, and Jim DaSilva on WindSwept was third. Competitors enjoyed beautiful conditions during this short distance race of 60 miles.
Regatta Chairman and Storm Trysail’s Marblehead Fleet Captain Clarke Smith said after the event, “Our objective is to keep big boat fleet racing alive in Marblehead and to have fun! This event provides a great venue for late summer racing, and we hope to build on the success of this year’s regatta for a tremendous event in 2019. We hope to see everyone back in Marblehead August 23rd, 24th, and 25th next year."
Clarke also thanked the THR’s local sponsors; Marblehead Boatyard, Ryan Marine, Burke Insurance, Manhattan Sandwich Company, Farrell Smith LLP, Zurn Yacht Designs, Hill & Louden, Phil Smith Photography, North Sails, VDA Productions, TTG, Goslings Rum, International Special Risks, Nationwide Insurance, Salem Waterfront Hotel, The Regatta Pub, The Landing Restaurant, and The Mighty Squirrel Brewing Company. Clarke continued that without the generous support of the sponsors the THR could not have happened.