Dennis Conner wins Six Meter Pre-Worlds

Published on July 16th, 2017

The build-up has begun toward the 6mR World Championship 2017 to be held September 15-21 in Vancouver, BC. The pre-world championship, the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup, was held on July 15-16 at Bainbridge Island, WA.

Nine boats competed representing five local teams plus one team each from the San Diego, San Francisco, Vancouver, and West Palm Beach, Florida. The conditions were 5 knots on Saturday and 1‐5 knots on Sunday on a mostly ebb tide under sunny skies. Seven races were completed.

Competition was close with many lead changes and miracle comebacks. Five boats won races, but in the end it was Dennis Conner and his crew of Bill Trenkle, Chuck Sinks, Al Pleskus, and Peter Burton coming out on top by two points in the classic Sparkman & Stephens design May Be VII. The names of the winning skipper and crew will be engraved on the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup.

The racing was also scored in three divisions. A second modern division was added for pre winged keel moderns, similar to what will be seen at the upcoming 2017 World Championships in Vancouver. In the light and shifty condition, however, the differences between the generations was compressed. Quality starts and tactics ruled the day.