Bit of everything at 2021 Snipe Westerns

Boston, MA (September 22, 2021) – The second day of the 2021 Snipe Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship provided two more races on Boston Harbor, with winds ranging from full-on squalls to near drifter conditions. Augie Diaz/Barbie Brotons (USA) posted a 5-1 to retain the overall lead after four races.

Light winds greeted the fleet as they pushed off the dock and headed out to the race course for the first race, just a 30 minute sail from Cottage Park Yacht Club to the course which lies adjacent to the runway of Boston’s Logan airport. After a 45 minute delay to wait for the wind, race 3 began but was quickly under AP to wait for the wind to settle.

The second attempt got underway in 6 to 10 knots, with Doug Hart/ Christina Persson (USA) holding a large lease at the weather mark which they kept until the second downwind gate. However, as the race progressed, a squall from the south formed and the wind shifted right with puffs to 23 knots at times.

George Szabo/ Dianna Waterbury (USA) were among those who went right and capitalized on the increased breeze with rain, passing the leaders at the finish. Finishing second was Antonio Poncell/ Carolina Martinez (CHI) with John MacRae/ Linda Epstein (USA) in third.

“We were close to calling the race but knew from experience to be patient – and it ended up being a good race,” noted Regatta co-chair Sue Hardy. “Competitors got a bit of every condition during this race.”

After the squall, the fleet had to wait around for the wind to fill for the fourth race, with a 5-6 knots breeze providing enough for a wire-to-wire win by Diaz/ Brotons (USA).

Nine races are planned for September 21-25, with tomorrow’s forecast looking promising but followed by a deteriorating forecast on September 24.

Race details – Entry list – Results

Day Two Results (Top 10 of 27; 4 races)