Vayu takes Overall Title at NOOD Chicago

Chicago, IL (June 14, 2015) – More than 100 boats in ten classes competed in the final day of racing at the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta in Chicago. The three-day event wrapped up with Ron Buzil and his crew aboard Vayu winning the class title for the Beneteau First 40.7s, as well as the regatta’s overall title. The win secures his team a berth at the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta Championship, hosted by Sunsail, in the British Virgin Islands in October.

The eight-boat class shifted around each day with each race being won by different boats. Ultimately, Vayu won with 19 points, followed by LaTempete, skippered by Tom Weber, in second with 21 points and Das Boot in third place, skippered by Jay Muller with 25 points.

“Obviously it was a great weekend with successful results, but it was not easy to come by” said Buzil. He said jokingly, “The conditions on Friday were awesome – cold rain, high waves – people couldn’t believe we were out there. The first two races we beat LaTempete, but in the last race we placed sixth.”

“The final day’s racing we did well, but in the last of three races we had to cut the jib sheet, get the knife out and ultimately slice it,” noted Buzil. “We got a replacement jib sheet up and hung in there. The crew is terrific and the members on my team have been doing this with me from anywhere from five to 16 years. My newest crew member has been on the boat for three years.”

When Buzil was asked what he looked forward to most, he said the Helly Hansen Championship hosted by Sunsail in the BVI’s, or the Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau race. When the crew makes it to Nassau, they will cruise the Bahamas for six weeks and rotate the crew every so often.

Bryan Hayes, the tactician for the boat, said, “In Chicago sailing season, the ultimate prizes are the NOOD, Verve and Race to Mackinac. If you can win one of those three, it is an amazing feat and the fact that we won the NOOD is awesome! We have an awesome crew.”

Buzil and his crew of the Beneteau First 40.7 Vayu will join Grant Dumas of St. Petersburg, Fla., and his crew of the Tripp 38 Warrior and John Laun’s caper crew of San Diego, Calif., along with Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Terry Hutchinson, winner of the Annapolis NOOD and other victors in the British Virgin Islands to compete in the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta Championship hosted by Sunsail. Each overall winning team will be outfitted with new sailing gear, compliments of Helly Hansen.

Ron Buzil and his crew aboard Vayu

Event details – Results