North Americans decided

Angel and Lewin to attend TAG Heuer Nations Cup

The last day of the TAG Heuer Nations Cup started with light winds and then changed to light winds and hard rain. After rain lightened up enough for the organizers to see more than a few yards, a course was set with the windward mark close to the east end of the waterfront bulkhead due to the light northeast wind.

The last of the best of five semi-final matches remained from the day before with Trinidad leading St. Lucia 2-1 and USA leading Canada by the same score. Justin Castagne and team Trinidad come out of the start ahead on Mike Green of St. Lucia, and hold on to their lead in the trying 4 to 8 knot conditions, win, and advance to the final. Brian Angel and USA dispatches Erik Koppernaes of Canada in the first flight as well.

This sets up the following matches; USA vs.Trinidad in the Open division final for first and second, Canada vs. St. Lucia in the Open division petite final for third and fourth and Paula Lewin of Bermuda vs. Sally Barkow of the USA in the Women's final.

In the petite final, Canada starts with a lead on St. Lucia and is never challenged. Due to the slow progress of the racing and an early airplane flight, Mike Green and team St. Lucia retire from racing and get set for their flight, conceding the third place to Canada.

USA starts with small lead off the line and closely covered Trinidad, with both boats working toward the left side lay line, maybe a little beyond. Trinidad starts to get a header puff and speeds up and over USA, as the shift leaves both boats not making the mark. USA is too close to Trinidad to tack, Castagne forces USA past the mark, tacks onto starboard, then port to round the mark, USA tacks onto starboard, then as the right of way boat tries to get the foul on Trinidad, the judges rule no foul. Trinidad then goes around the mark, hoists their TAG Heuer spinnaker and pulls away, USA rounds the windward mark, then strangely enough, the first match has caught up to the pair, and Canada and St. Lucia also round, leaving a whole crowd on Castagne’s air. Trinidad increases the lead downwind and sails a conservative remainder of the race to win the first match. In the second finals match, Trinidad is not as successful. USA starts with a lead and holds it around the course.

A long delay follows the second flight of matches as the committee tries to follow a shifting and light breeze. The course is finally reset and it is announced that the finals will be reduced to best of three rather than best of five, as another long delay will surely take the fifth race past the 3 p.m. deadline.

USA gets a foul on Trinidad in the prestart, and leads off the line and stretches away on the first beat. The course is spotty though, so there could be a hole for the USA, but no luck for Trinidad, USA continues to increase lead and wins the match and the Open Division finals.

Team Trinidad leaves the Virgin Islands having impressed everyone. They gained the admiration of all the competitors and committee, and a very high caliber group of international umpires. Umpire Henry Menin said that the Trinidad team had a better grasp of the match racing rules than most of the teams present. From a first day of 2-4 to second day 4-2 to a trip to the finals was a story book tale, not quite with a Hollywood ending.

On the women's side, Sally Barkow of the USA leads the first race from the start and just increased all the way around the course. Second race looks like the same, but Barkow lets Lewin get some separation and a lift on that side puts Lewin ahead, which she tenaciously holds the rest of the race, so 1-1. After postponement and the resetting of the course, rubber match started. As time before the start gun winds down Lewin has Barkow trapped out at the committee boat, with no where to go. In the light air, Barkow just slows and follows Lewin at the start, but that pretty much seals the race, until two thirds up the first beat, wind shifts have been rolling down the course and Lewin lets Barkow break right. Both skippers separate, after the first 25 yards it looks like Barkow is now ahead, but the wind clocks and Lewin's position is now solid. Lewin safely leads the rest of the race and wins the final.

Bill Canfield thanked his crew of volunteers and especially the Hook, Line and Sinker restaurant and CYOA Yacht Charters. The combination of the docks and decks of CYOA and the rooms and restaurant facilities of the Hook, Line and Sinker made the event possible in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Canfield also thanked Offshore Marine for umpire boats and Budget Marine for all the little marine items required on the boats to ensure equality as much as possible.

Philippe Alluard, president of TAG Heuer Caribbean and Latin America presented the winners with a TAG Heuer watch to go with their trip to Cork, Ireland for the Grand Final. Winning crews also received TAG Heuer sunglasses and trophy plaques. Brian Angel of the USA and Paula Lewin of Bermuda will now represent the North American region at the Grand Final.

Final Results:

Open Division
USA (Brian Angel) first place 2-1 over Trinidad (Justin Castagne)
3rd Canada (Erik Koppernaes) 2-0 over 4th St. Lucia (Mike Green)

Women’s Division
Bermuda (Paula Lewin) first place 2-1 over USA (Sally Barkow)
USVI third and Cayman Islands fourt