Stamford, CT – For the 65 boats that started the 74th Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race, the wind gods proved to be capricious. Competitors found themselves to be racing in big breeze one minute, and no breeze the next. Many were sailing in a northerly only to find that they were – without warning – “auto-tacked” by a southerly of similar strength and now headed in the exact same direction but on the opposite board. Ideal blast-reaching conditions out of Long Island Sound were followed by a giant parking lot in Block Island Sound, soon to be followed by ideal reaching conditions again, terminated by another parking lot which developed outside of Plum Gut and The Race.
In Theory leaps off the line in perfect conditions on her way to a First in Class, and First in IRC Fleet. Contributing to Skipper Peter McWhinnie’s come-from-behind victory were Peter Bauer, Marion Maneker, Erin Sprague, Matthew Wittick, Matthew Schneider and Simon Karstoft. Copyright 2019, photos courtesy Rick Bannerot, Ontheflyphoto.net
Boats that were lucky enough or talented enough (or both) could beat the changing of the tide at the exits of the Sound before the wind died. Others had the door slammed in their face, and many found they were skunked again upon re-entering the Sound when the wind died and the tide turned against them once more. Teams that were last at times ended up in first, and some that were in first ended up in the “cheap seats”. Yes, the fabled “Fickle Finger of Fate” played an outsized role in this year’s race, but that’s yacht racing (at its best, or its worst – depending on how “fickled” you were by the results).
Every year, this challenging race offers many opportunities for both good and bad decisions: Do you pick the CT shore or the Long Island shore on the way to Block? Do you select the Gut, the Race, the Sluiceway (or rarely, Fisher’s Island Sound)? On the return leg, those decisions need to be made again. Most years there is some level of consensus as to which strategy paid off. This, however, was not one of those years. What worked for some proved fatal for the hopes of others. It all depended on what type of boat you were racing on, and where you were when the wind either stopped or re-appeared. Sometimes a mere 100 yards separated those who were doing 8 knots toward the finish and those drifting backward doing minus-1.
The crew of In Theory receives their awards for First in Class and the “William Tripp, Jr Memorial Trophy” for First in Fleet in IRC.
Despite the variety of winning strategies, the two biggest winners had very similar approaches. In the end two very different boats with comparable strategies brought home the most silver: Peter McWhinnie on the state-of-the-art JPK 1080 In Theory, and Steve Gordon on his traditional, heavy-displacement Alden 50 Elena. In Theory triumphed with a First in Class and the “William Tripp, Jr Memorial Trophy” for First in Fleet in IRC, and Elena hauled in a First in her class, the “Terrapin Trophy” for First in the PHRF Fleet on corrected time and the “Harvey Conover Memorial Overall Trophy” for Best Overall Performance in the race as well. It was only Steve’s second race ever as Skipper and his first Block Island Race in any capacity. (Does the phrase “Quit While You’re Ahead” come to mind?!)
Peter describes the In Theory team’s experience: “The reaching conditions at the start were ideal for us. We put up the kite and took off at 9 or 10 knots, hitting 12-14 knots in some of the gusts. Conditions moderated as we got further east, but we were nearly at the Race as the wind went forward. We were lucky enough to make it out of the Sound in a healthy position before the wind shut down. The night and most of the day were anxious as we drifted and/or watched as competitors gained ground, but we were still in a solid position rounding BI.”
“On the leg from BI back to the Sound, we wanted to go through Plum Gut to position for the southerly and were trying to call the wind on the water to get there. We had a loose cover on Carina and Vamp, who went further south and west, and that didn’t work out well for us as they picked up some better wind and pulled ahead. It was edgy getting to the Gut in winds that came and went, but Carina got there first and had a roughly 2-mile lead by the time we got into the Sound and met the southerly. From that point, we were just trying to stay in touch with the competition. With winds in the high teens and on a close reach, In Theory was powered up and flying. We had everyone on the rail and kept pushing hard as Carina’s lead varied between 2 and 2.8 miles. By the finish, we had their lead down to around 2 miles, which was just enough to take the win. We knew it would be close, so we even put up the Code 0 for the short last leg from 32 to the finish. Overall, it was a really fun race with a great range of conditions and very close competition.”
The crew of Elena, winner of the Best Overall Performance Trophy, and First in Fleet for PHRF. From L to R (backrow): Dan MacDonald, Riley Kernan, Event Chair /PRO and STC Rear Commodore Ray Redniss, STC Commodore Alton J. Evans, skipper Dr. Steve Gordon, Ron Weiss (Tactician) and Brian O’Farrell (Navigator). Front row: Erika “Gunns” Gunnari, Marty Weiss and Steve Nosal. This was only the second race ever for Elena and her owner. Copyright 2019, photos courtesy Rick Bannerot, Ontheflyphoto.net
Ron Weiss (full disclosure: the writer of this story) was the tactician on Elena, which was using this race as a tune-up for the Marion-Bermuda Race in a few weeks. “Elena is a 50,000 pound behemoth – the exact opposite of a light air flyer. We were doing quite well beam-reaching in 15-20 knots along the CT coastline, trying to beat the tide turn at the Race at 10:30 pm. We made it out by the skin of our teeth, but when the wind died right after that, we found we were being sucked back toward Stamford at 2.5 knots. We actually put up a spinnaker and a jib wing-on wing to act as an “air brake” to slow down our backward momentum. Most of our division caught up and/or passed us in and around Block Island Sound but when we got to the Gut, we found them and a sizeable number of other boats parked to the east and south of us. We stayed up near Montauk and Gardiner’s Island, hoping that we’d catch a southerly breeze before the competition did. Finally, the southerly materialized, but it was only very near the shore so we tacked and sailed in a light westerly almost a half-mile AWAY from the Gut to get to the breeze. Soon we were doing 8 knots toward Orient Point while the rest of the boats were still bobbing around and waiting for the wind to get to them. We made it through the Gut literally just as it was turning, and then had a great ride all the way home in close-reaching conditions where our heft was not an issue and our waterline length was a big help.”
NOTE: A Previous Version of this Post reflected Carina as the winner. Due to a rating typo, caught by competitors onboard Carina, the scores have been updated.
Carina, looking good on her way off the starting line. On board are a couple of former Storm Trysail Commodores: Rich du Moulin and Lee Reichart, as well as former NYYC Commodore and Carina owner Rives Potts. She is preparing to race in the TransAtlantic Race, in which she has competed twice before. Copyright 2019, photos courtesy Rick Bannerot, Ontheflyphoto.net
Other perpetual trophy winners were:
COMMODORE'S GRAIL TROPHY - Best Performance PHRF Double-handed ECLIPSE – Marc Berkowitz
GOVERNORS RACE WEST TROPHY - Best Elapsed time in the IRC Fleet PTERODACTYL – Scott Weisman
GOVERNORS RACE EAST TROPHY - Best elapsed time – PHRF OAKCLIFF FARR 40-BLUE – Oakcliff Sailing
GEROLD ABELS - Best Performance IRC Double-Handed PEGASUS – Harmut Ludwig/Welf Ludwig
RODDIE WILLIAMS TEAM RACE TROPHY - STC RED – CARINA / RAPTOR / SOULMATES
TUNA TROPHY - Best IRC combined scores in the Edlu (40%) and the BI Race (60%) IN THEORY – Peter McWhinnie
GEORGE LAUDER TROPHY - Best Vintage Yacht, CARINA, Rives Potts
COMMODORE'S TROPHY - To the boat that has won a handicap class by the smallest margin of time over the 2nd and 3rd place boats. TEMPTATION – Art Santry
Block Island Race Course
Class 1 IRC-DH (IRC - 2 Boats)
1. USA 93367 - Pegasus, Beneteau First 36.7, Hartmut Ludwig , West Windsor, NJ, USA -- 26May19-03:23:56AM / 1:13:18:56 / 1:13:27:53 -- 1 / 13
2. USA 60036 - Helios, Sunfast 3600, Adrian Little , Newport, RI, USA -- RET
Class 2 IRC (IRC - 8 Boats)
1. USA 61183 - In Theory, JPK 1080, Peter McWhinnie , Larchmont, NY, USA -- 26May19-12:17:32AM / 1:09:52:32 / 1:11:17:54 -- 1 / 1
2. USA 315 - Carina, McCurdy & Rhodes 48, Rives Potts , Westbrook, CT, USA -- 26May19-12:00:16AM / 1:09:35:16 / 1:11:24:05 -- 2 / 2
3. USA 779 - Froya, Custom 46, Briggs Tobin , Ridgefield, CT, USA -- 26May19-01:26:56AM / 1:11:01:56 / 1:11:46:04 -- 3 / 5
4. USA 43600 - Vamp, J 44, Leonard Sitar , Holmdel, NJ, USA -- 25May19-11:34:29PM / 1:09:09:29 / 1:12:12:31 -- 4 / 6
5. USA 74434 - Hiro Maru, S&S Custom, Hiroshi Nakajima , Stamford, CT, USA -- 26May19-01:20:12AM / 1:10:55:12 / 1:12:14:49 -- 5 / 7
6. USA US 9393 - Resolute IV, IMX-40, Terrence Arndt , Saint Louis, MO, USA -- 26May19-01:14:10AM / 1:10:49:10 / 1:13:59:17 -- 6 / 15
7. USA 42324 - Coast Guard - Glory, J 44, US Coast Guard Academy , New London, CT, USA -- 26May19-02:03:31AM / 1:11:38:31 / 1:14:50:59 -- 7 / 19
8. USA 52238 - Ragana, Cape Fear 38R, Darius Peleda , Westport, CT, USA -- 26May19-03:17:06AM / 1:12:52:06 / 1:15:31:22 -- 8 / 20
Class 3 IRC (IRC - 7 Boats)
1. USA 60492 - Lucy Georgina, Xp44, Peter Bacon , Noank, CT, USA -- 25May19-10:19:49PM / 1:07:14:49 / 1:11:31:40 -- 1 / 3
2. USA 51601 - Desperado YCC, CTM 40, Leo Vasiliev , Bayville, NY, USA -- 25May19-10:21:55PM / 1:07:16:55 / 1:11:37:48 -- 2 / 4
3. USA 60342 - Matador, J 133 built in France, Dale and Michael McIvor , Southport, CT, USA -- 25May19-11:40:03PM / 1:08:35:03 / 1:12:15:58 -- 3 / 8
4. USA 60711 - Phantom, XP44, Chris Schoen , Larchmont, NY, USA -- 25May19-11:20:09PM / 1:08:15:09 / 1:12:34:28 -- 4 / 9
5. JPN 6860 - Crescent IV, J 121, Akimatsu Hirai , Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken, JAPAN -- 25May19-11:44:51PM / 1:08:39:51 / 1:12:35:02 -- 5 / 10
6. USA 45016 - Direwolf, IMX 45, Lawrence Hennessy , Middlefield, CT, USA -- 25May19-11:01:02PM / 1:07:56:02 / 1:12:56:51 -- 6 / 11
7. USA 61121 - Eagle, J 121, Steven Levy , Greenwich, CT, USA -- 25May19-11:49:27PM / 1:08:44:27 / 1:12:57:52 -- 7 / 1
Class 4 IRC (IRC - 4 Boats)
1. USA 50069 - Temptation-Oakcliff Collegiate, Ker 50, Arthur Santry , Oyster Bay, NY, USA -- 25May19-09:36:08PM / 1:06:11:08 / 1:13:56:36 -- 1 / 14
2. USA 45045 - Pterodactyl, R/P 45 Custom, Scott Weisman , White Plains, NY, USA -- 25May19-08:21:20PM / 1:04:56:20 / 1:14:01:33 -- 2 / 16
3. USA 51552 - Magic, Santa Cruz 52, Kenneth Laudon , Croton on Hudson, NY, USA -- 25May19-10:29:14PM / 1:07:04:14 / 1:14:03:41 -- 3 / 17
4. USA 39 - Christopher Dragon, Ker40+, Andrew & Linda Weiss , Mamaroneck, NY, USA -- 25May19-10:02:04PM / 1:06:37:04 / 1:14:43:53 -- 4 / 18
Class 1 PHRF-DH (PHRF_ToT - 4 Boats)
1. USA 52386 - Eclipse, Sabre 386, Marc Berkowitz , Scarsdale, NY, USA -- 26May19-03:52:07AM / 1:13:47:07 / 1:12:49:18 -- 1 / 8
2. USA 60628 - Max, Pogo 10.5, Moritz Hilf , New York, NY, USA -- 26May19-01:50:46AM / 1:11:45:46 / 1:13:55:22 -- 2 / 20
3. USA 230 - Daydream, Beneteau First 36.7, Gregory Madzio , Southport, Ct, USA -- 26May19-03:15:58AM / 1:13:10:58 / 1:14:07:11 -- 3 / 22
4. USA 52551 - Wild Goose II, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40, Dan Walsh , Rye, NY, USA -- RET
Class 2 PHRF (PHRF_ToT - 7 Boats)
1. usa 60750 - Elena, Alden, Steven Gordon , Briarcliff Manor, NY, USA -- 26May19-01:14:46AM / 1:10:59:46 / 1:10:06:13 -- 1 / 1
2. USA 1781 - Towhee, Cal 40, Paul Jennings , Branford, CT, USA -- 26May19-02:55:45AM / 1:12:40:45 / 1:11:34:57 -- 2 / 3
3. USA 12262 - Jonrob, Ericson 39, John Storck, Jr , Huntington, NY, USA -- 26May19-02:57:24AM / 1:12:42:24 / 1:11:36:33 -- 3 / 4
4. USA 51950 - Duet, Sun Fast 37, Andrian (Andy) Lubimov , Scarsdale, NY, USA -- 26May19-03:13:24AM / 1:12:58:24 / 1:12:01:50 -- 4 / 5
5. USA 56 - Tacktile, Sabre 42 CB, Jeffrey Wilson , Southport, CT, USA -- 26May19-03:05:49AM / 1:12:50:49 / 1:12:23:51 -- 5 / 7
6. USA 8516T - Escapade II, Morris Ocean Series, Tom Bowler , Palm Beach, FL, USA -- 26May19-05:55:02AM / 1:15:40:02 / 1:15:00:31 -- 6 / 30
7. 60665 - Brisa, Jeanneau 409, David Messenger , Westport, CT, USA -- RET
Class 3 PHRF (PHRF_ToT - 2 Boats)
1. USA 402 - Raptor, J 105, Frank Conway , Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA -- 26May19-01:01:25AM / 1:10:46:25 / 1:11:18:58 -- 1 / 2
2. USA 324 - Young American-324 (YCC), J 105, Young American , Rye, NY, USA -- 26May19-02:00:16AM / 1:11:45:16 / 1:12:18:44 -- 2 / 6
Class 5 PHRF (PHRF_ToT - 7 Boats)
1. USA 52 - Rascal, Dehler 38c, Rory Cumming , Norwalk, CT, United States -- 26May19-01:14:47AM / 1:10:39:47 / 1:12:56:13 -- 1 / 10
2. USA 160 - Ariel, J 109, Jeffrey Warren , Fairfield, CT, USA -- 26May19-02:02:43AM / 1:11:27:43 / 1:13:14:19 -- 2 / 12
3. USA 2112 - YYZ, Jeanneau 53, Justin Bonar , Stamford, CT, USA -- 26May19-01:24:25AM / 1:10:49:25 / 1:13:28:38 -- 3 / 16
4. USA 261 - Growth Spurt, J 109, John Greifzu, Jr. , Darien, CT, USA -- 26May19-02:13:11AM / 1:11:38:11 / 1:13:36:13 -- 4 / 19
5. USA 11204 - Dauntless, J 112e, Arthur Hanlon , Rye, NY, USA -- 26May19-01:30:20AM / 1:10:55:20 / 1:14:08:57 -- 5 / 23
6. USA 61200 - Salacia, J 120, Mark Nannini , Tiverton, RI, USA -- 26May19-01:39:08AM / 1:11:04:08 / 1:14:42:07 -- 6 / 28
7. 60032 - Moonshine, Columbia C32, Allen Fligor , Valley Cottage, NY, USA -- 26May19-06:58:00AM / 1:16:23:00 / 1:19:53:48 -- 7 / 33
Class 6 PHRF Plus 1 (PHRF_ToT - 6 Boats)
1. USA 1131 - Soulmates, Custom Goetz 40, Adam Loory , Mamaroneck, NY, USA -- 25May19-11:04:51PM / 1:08:19:51 / 1:13:23:38 -- 1 / 15
2. USA 52361 - Frequent Flyer, Beneteau First 36.7, Alistair Duke , Wilton, CT, USA -- 26May19-02:57:49AM / 1:12:12:49 / 1:13:28:52 -- 2 / 17
3. USA 52155 - Charlotte, Beneteau First 36.7, Richard West , Darien, CT, USA -- 26May19-03:45:06AM / 1:13:00:06 / 1:14:28:54 -- 3 / 25
4. USA 60592 - Bellatrix, Salona 41, Deric Hetzel , Irvington, NY, USA -- 26May19-03:05:00AM / 1:12:20:00 / 1:14:43:00 -- 4 / 29
5. USA 52787 - Next Boat, Morris 45, Mark Ellman , New York, NY, USA -- 26May19-01:50:54AM / 1:11:05:54 / 1:15:07:52 -- 5 / 32
6. USA 52554 - Jamala IV, Beneteau First 36.7, Hamish Young , Old Greenwich, CT, USA -- RET
Class 7 PHRF (PHRF_ToT - 5 Boats)
1. USA 60937 - threebeans, MP 39, Treef Rosow , Southport, CT, USA -- 25May19-11:27:19PM / 1:08:32:19 / 1:12:50:48 -- 1 / 9
2. USA 16 - Fireball, J 111, Bill & Jackie Baxter , Riverside, CT, USA -- 25May19-11:45:56PM / 1:08:50:56 / 1:13:11:53 -- 2 / 11
3. USA 32 - Libertas, J 111, John Donovan , Southport, CT, USA -- 26May19-12:01:30AM / 1:09:06:30 / 1:13:17:48 -- 3 / 14
4. USA 26 - Black Diamond YCC, J 111, Midshipman Alex Mueller , Kings Point, NY, USA -- 26May19-12:54:02AM / 1:09:59:02 / 1:14:29:00 -- 4 / 26
5. USA 88 - Varuna, J 111, Abhijeet Lele , New York, NY, USA -- 26May19-01:15:34AM / 1:10:20:34 / 1:14:41:14 -- 5 / 27
Class 8 PHRF (PHRF_ToT - 6 Boats)
1. USA 51990 - Oakcliff Farr 40 Blue, Farr 40, Oakcliff Sailing , Oyster Bay, NY, USA -- 25May19-10:27:26PM / 1:07:12:26 / 1:13:17:22 -- 1 / 13
2. USA 51356 - Spectre, J 125, Brian Prinz , East Haven, CT, USA -- 25May19-10:27:56PM / 1:07:12:56 / 1:13:30:20 -- 2 / 18
3. USA 51695 - Oakcliff Farr 40 Black, Farr 40M, Oakcliff Sailing , Oyster Bay, NY, USA -- 25May19-11:08:45PM / 1:07:53:45 / 1:14:06:44 -- 3 / 21
4. USA 39 - Marauder, Class 40, Marcus Cochran , Jamestown, RI, USA -- 25May19-11:31:49PM / 1:08:16:49 / 1:14:21:31 -- 4 / 24
5. USA 46957 - Oakcliff Farr 40 Red, Farr 40, Oakcliff Sailing , Oyster Bay, NY, USA -- 25May19-11:53:56PM / 1:08:38:56 / 1:15:00:44 -- 5 / 31
6. USA 37 - First Light, Class 40, Dennis Ziemba , Highlands, NJ, USA -- DNS
Multi-Hull (ToT - 1 Boats)
1. 2 - Zibure, Countour 34 Trimaran, Francois Mazaud , Riverside, CT, USA -- 26May19-12:01:10AM / 1:09:56:10 / 1:13:42:23 -- 1 / 1
Plum Island Course Course
Class 4 PHRF (PHRF_ToT - 6 Boats)
1. USA 234 - Argo, Catalina 400, Boris Keselman , Brooklyn, NY, USA -- 25May19-02:31:38PM / 1:00:06:38 / 0:23:36:07 -- 1 / 1
2. USA 43006 - Valkyrie YCC, C&C 34R, Erik & Annika Haakonsen , Trumbull, CT, USA -- 25May19-02:23:39PM / 0:23:58:39 / 0:23:54:11 -- 2 / 2
3. USA 161 - Chicken Wing, Ranger 33, Mike Chapell , Stamford, CT, USA -- 25May19-05:57:39PM / 1:03:32:39 / 1:01:02:25 -- 3 / 3
4. 32708 - Checkmate, Alden 44, Frank Flores , Essex, CT, USA -- 25May19-04:31:31PM / 1:02:06:31 / 1:01:06:12 -- 4 / 4
5. USA 35 - Yonder YCC, J 88, Midshipman Ramsey Colton , Kings Point, NY, USA -- 25May19-03:55:34PM / 1:01:30:34 / 1:02:16:38 -- 5 / 5
6. USA 61169 - Moonglade, Jeanneau SO 419, Todd Murphy , Annandale, NJ, USA -- RET
For more information on the Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race results, visit:
https://yachtscoring.com/event_results_detail.cfm?Race_Number=1&eID=6203