Smith and Patton Spring to victory

A total of 30 Optimists and three Lasers entered the first weekend of the Bermuda Spring Break Open Regatta, which is sponsored by Digicel and hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. 

The Optimist racing also formed part of the 2014 BODA Trials.

The forecast for Saturday was for the winds to build throughout the day. 

The Laser class was cancelled for the day but witnessing westerly winds that were schedule to build during the day, Hamilton Harbour offered a safe option to the race officer. 

The PRO decision was made to try to do one or two Optimist races before the big winds arrived.

After a delayed start, 14 Optimists started in strong conditions. 

Towards the end of the second leg of the race the winds started to build
and higher gusts were recorded. 

By the time the sailors were on the fourth leg of the course an even larger gust was recorded that made racing difficult for some of the younger sailors.

However, Campbell Patton coped well and finished the race in first place, followed by Adriana Penruddocke and George Buckley.

With winds continuing to build, the decision was made not to hold a second race that day and sailors returned ashore.

On Sunday, perfect sailing conditions blessed the Optimist and Laser sailors in the Great Sound. 

Racing got under way soon after 10am and the winds started solidly but then dropped down to relatively light for 2-3 races. Fortunately they built up again for the final two races. Stand-out performances came from the two class leaders.

Benn Smith won an impressive four out of five races in his Laser Radial, with Alice Reeves winning the first race of the day.

In the Optimists, Campbell Patton, who recently turned 13, managed to win the weekend’s racing with net points of 14. 

It was all the more impressive after he broke his mast-step during the afternoon and had to swap boats. 

Bermuda’s senior coach and BODA’s Sailor Development officer Paul Doughty said after the racing: “The sailors will all sleep well tonight after a lot of hard work this weekend. 

“I am impressed by the performances of many of these young sailors who have been practising hard throughout the winter in the traditionally windier season. Congratulations to all who took part. As was witnessed on Sunday
afternoon, they have begun to take windier conditions in their stride.” 

Thank you to Digicel Bermuda, the sponsors of the racing, and a big thank you to all the volunteers who made it possible and in particular PRO Jay Hooper and his team which included non-parent volunteers Rene Bouchard, Allan Williams, Casper Young, Jen Ayres and Paul Doughty.

Racing for the Bermuda Spring Break Open Regatta sponsored by Digicel resumes next weekend.

For more information please contact the Sailing Office.