Millican too Elusive for rivals

Chuck Millican was crowned the top local helmsman at the inaugural Bermuda J105 Invitational Regatta after helping steer Elusive to the XL Trophy.

The first day of competition got under way on Thursday in blustery conditions with NE winds of 15-25 knots churning up the Great Sound. 

Eight J105’s with mixed crews from Bermuda and international yacht clubs kicked off the day with a practice race to help with the crew work before Race 1 got under way. 

International skippers helmed the odd numbered races, and local skippers the even numbered ones. 

The opening win went to Elusive (Steve Cucchiaro from Eastern Yacht Club, USA), chased by Passion and Sadiiqi. 

Race 2 had a crew overboard at one of the marks – they recovered fine, if damp – and Yabsta lost their second spinnaker in the strong breeze. The opening “locals” race went to Elusive (Chuck Millican, RHADC, Bermuda), chased by Passion and Yabsta. 

Race 3, in slightly lighter conditions, was taken by Passion (Bill Lakenmacher, Lakewood Yacht Club, USA) followed by Yabsta and Mayhem. The final race of the day, back in 20 knot breeze, had Elusive’s third bullet of the day, with Passion next and Sadiiqi in third. It meant The “Sovereign Jewellers” boat of the day, on seven points, was Elusive, which also led the overall (XL Trophy) and Bermuda (Gosling’s Trophy) competitions, with Passion in charge of the International competition (The Bermuda Tourism Trophy). 

The second day’s first win went to Sadiiqi (Sean McDermott from Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron), chased by Passion and Back-in-Black. 

Race 6, in slightly lighter conditions, was taken by Elusive (Steve Cucchiaro from Eastern Yacht Club, USA), followed by Passion and then Mayhem.

The breeze then shifted to the left and started to drop out, meaning Race 7 became an exercise in finding pressure and playing the substantial lifts along the Somerset Shore, or out toward Pearl Island. 

It was won by Passion (Bill Lakenmacher, Lakewood Yacht Club, USA) followed by Elusive and Back-in-Black. The final race of the day was a challenging tactical contest in the light winds. Elusive took the win, with Sadiiqi passing passion in the final run to the finish for second and third.

With everything to sail for on the final day, the teams had a single race to decide the local winner, and a single race to decide the international winner, plus a fun race back to Hamilton Harbour to round off the event.

Race 9 had two general recalls before the race committee, led by Charles Tatem, resorted to starting under more punitive conditions – anyone over the line early now had to restart by rounding the end of the line. 

The racing finally got under way in the freshening conditions, and the win went to Back in Black, with Elusive and Yabsta taking second and third respectively. Race 10 started under the “black flag rule” – anyone over early now was out of the race. This enabled an orderly start, and after three circuits of the course the win went to Mayhem, followed by Elusive and Back-in-Black.

The event concluded with a long-distance race back to Hamilton Harbour, taking in the Small Sound and the channel up to dockyard. Mayhem took line honours and won the “Bermuda Project Managers” prize. n

Results

Overall XL Trophy

1: Elusive (21 points)

2: Passion (24)

3: Mayhem (42)

Top international helmsmen (Bermuda Tourism Trophy)

1: Bill Lakenmacher (11)

2: Steve Cucchiaro (15)

3: Greg Turman (17)

Top local helmsmen (Goslings Trophy)

1: Chuck Millican (6)

2: James Macdonald (13)

3: Jon Corless (16)

Report provided by the Bermuda J105 Association.