Sjambok wins on IRC

Dana Paxton reports from the finish of the Annapolis-Newport race

Consistent southwesterly breezes have brought a large number of competitors through the Annapolis to Newport finish line under spinnaker in the last 12 hours, including the entire IRC I Class. Despite strong breezes through the evening and morning hours, Sjambok’s evening finish on June 12 has proven strong enough to declare her winner of the IRC I Class. Other classes are quickly arriving in Block Island Sound and playing the current to optimize their positions as they arrive at the finish at Castle Hill Light at the mouth of the Narragansett Bay.

Reindeer, Newbold Smith’s 47ft Custom Payne was the first in PHRF I Class to cross the finish line. Racing for the New York Yacht Club’s team, she finished under spinnaker just after dawn at 0558 hours. Three J/120s in PHRF I Class came up the coast neck and neck. Windborn, Rick Born’s entry racing for the Annapolis Yacht Club, headed inshore, splitting with the other J/120s and fell behind as they entered Block Island Sound. Flying Jenny V, skippered by David Askew finished first of the three J/120s, quickly pursued by Eurotrash Girl. Currently standing in first on corrected time in PHRF I Class, Eurotrash Girl finished under spinnaker at 0842 hours. Gybing as they approached the line, Windborn crossed the Castle Hill Light at 0912 hours.

"We had 10 knots more than expected during the entire race. It was a dream—we had the chute up for two days straight!" said Nicole Christie, skipper of Eurotrash Girl. According to Christie, the first day was tough for Eurotrash Girl after making a wrong call on the current. They hit the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay the first night, and by morning, "We were in a pretty good position on the fleet."

Christie credits two strong watches who both worked hard, even at night, "which isn’t always the case."

Honahlee, H. L. Devore’s J/44 was the first to finish in the IRC II Class. Honahlee, which led the class from the Bay, finished at 0739. Currently standing in first on corrected time, Devore said, "It was a great race. We hit every shift." According to Devore, "It was a good weather leg. We hugged the shallows and the fish sticks" down the Bay to avoid the foul current. After they came up the coast, they left Block Island to starboard to continue on to Narragansett Bay under spinnaker.

In PHRF II Class, Henry Morgan’s J/42 Dolphin finished at 1501 after leading her class since the Chesapeake. Beinestar, Ned Dunham’s Mistral 33, is pursuing the fleet, less than 200 miles from the finish at 1400 hours.


About the Annapolis to Newport Race

The Annapolis to Newport Race is one of the most historic and well-known of the U.S. East Coast blue water races. Linking two seaports dating from our nation's birth, Annapolis and Newport, the race provides challenging diversity over different bodies of water, as well as convenient ports of refuge along the entire course. As a result, the race is a favorite for first-time off-shore competitors, as well as experienced blue water racers. The record time for the 58-year-old race is held by Carrera, Joseph Dockery's Farr 60 skippered by Chris Larson, which set a new course record in 2001 of 42 hours, 58 minutes, 12 seconds. The race is organized by the Annapolis Yacht Club, with assistance from the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, New York Yacht Club and Ida Lewis Yacht Club.