Chris Chambers wins Ultimate 20 North Americans

San Francisco Bay delivered with winds between 6-18 knots, warm temperatures in the 80s, and the Blue Angels flying overhead for the Ultimate 20 North Americans hosted by the Richmond Yacht Club on October 7-9 in Point Richmond, CA.

The three days of racing on Columbus Day weekend brought lighter winds on the first two days, but when the westerlies filled in on Sunday, the boats were all planning at 10 knots during the final two races on the Olympic Circle.

Thirteen boats from around the west sailed the regatta. Chris Chambers of the Sandpoint Sailing Association won the eight race series but not without a battle from previous North American champion, Mark Allen, of the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club. Third went to another national champion in the Santana 22, Bob Comstock, the only local sailor to score in the top five.

On Friday, the first three races were held in 6-8 knots northwesterly with a changing current that made finding the right starboard tack layline a challenge at the windward mark which made for mixed results for most of the sailors. Chambers who normally sails the more placid Coeur d’Alene Lake scored two bullets to set down the challenge for the rest of the regatta.

A bit lighter wind greeted the sailors on Saturday on the same course and Michael Eisenberg of the Del Rey Yacht Club benefited from his knowledge of light wind sailing in Santa Monica Bay with two bullets, but followed closely by Chambers. The rest of the fleet didn’t fare as well with significant changes in the standings following each race.

When the wind filled in on Sunday and the course moved to the Olympic Circle, the 15 knot wind and long courses. A strong ebb current influenced decisions on what was the favored side of the course. Comstock and Chambers each won, but Chambers managed to keep his point count down compared to all the other racers to win by 8 points over Allen.

Event details: http://www.u20class.org/NorthAmericans/2016NA/2016_u20_north_americans.htm

Source: Mike Josselyn