Starck grows lead at Lightning Worlds

Ridgeway, Ontario (July 22, 2015) – The roar of Lake Erie arrived for the second day of the Lightning World Championship, with the 63 teams getting a rigorous test as they finished two more races in wet and windy conditions. With four of nine races now complete, Jody Starck with crew Ian Jones and Skip Dieball (USA) continue to lead, building a 14 point margin over Matt Fisher/ Tobi Moriarty/ Dan Moriarty (USA). Racing continues daily and concludes Saturday, July 25.

Update by Lightning class:
The Buffalo Canoe Club hosted another wild day on the water! This time the pressure was on – a solid 15-18 knots and the waves were large – 4 to 6 feet! The day brought a bunch of break downs (mast, spreaders, halyards) and a few capsized boats. The wind and wave state made for another tough day on the water.

Alejandro Perez, CHI sailing upwind in Race 1… there is a boat there somewhere!

After a recall and then a Z-Flag start, Tim Scanlon from Shaker Heights, OH sailing with Sam Williams and Bernie Roesler got off clean and lead the first race of the day (Race 3) wire to wire. The team won the left side of the first leg and managed the fleet well to remain in the lead to get the gun. David Dellenbaugh from Easton, CT sailing with Jeff Eiber and Jay Lurie was just behind them followed by Billy Martin from Riverton, NJ sailing with Janel Zarkowsky and Chappy Hopkins. Martin had a good mid-line start and played the middle left. They had just enough angle to connect the right hand shift at the top of the beat and follow behind Scanlon from the left and Dellenbaugh from the right. The three teams sailed course left downwind in pressure and was able to gain separation on the fleet. Martin remarked, “It was definitely a boat speed day, we minimized our tacks and Janel did a great job calling pressure and shifts.”

Team Scanlon just ahead of Team Martin

The breeze and waves laid down a little for the second race of the day (Race 4). With winds shifting in a range from 270 to 240. After a delay it settled around 260 and the RC called for Course 5 with 1.3 mile legs. Juan Santos from Samborondon, Ecuador sailing with Juan Jose Ferretti and Fernando Amador won the right side and got out front early and never looked back. Jody Starck and Matt Fisher started near the pin end won their side, but rounded in the teens squeezing ahead of a big pack from the right . They were able to catch a few boats and finish 10th and 14th respectively. The top right paid each leg of the second race.

Race 4 – Team Santos (bow 16) leading at the windward mark

The big move of the day came from Team Martin. They posted a solid 3-6 and moved from 12th to 3rd overall. Team Dellenbaugh had a similar day with a 2-7 to move up from 15th to 4th overall. The consistency of Jody Starck and her team keep them on top with 21 total points and are starting to distance themselves from the rest of the competition. They are the only team so far with all top 10 finishes. Matt Fisher and his team remain in 2nd just two point ahead of Martin’s team.

Races 5 and 6 are scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday), 1000 warning.

Class website – Race details – Results – Facebook – Twitter – Photos