Sailors had been waiting all week watching the models, hoping, praying and trying not to jinx the forecast for the coveted downwind both ways Block Island Race.
Boats arrived and checked in almost in disbelief. In true Newport fashion the Newport Yacht Club Race committee on the scene for the Twenty Hundred Club had to deconflict our starting area with the New York Yacht Club event as the water gets busy in the sailing capital. A few quick radio calls and some RC boat moves and the line was set. Two classes, with a total of 13 boats started downwind in perfect summer conditions. The fleet stayed close as they fought their way out of the bay under kite. Tacticians scrambled for the slightest edge of current relief. Once past Beavertail eyes were set on the prize, 1B1, the finish line and the celebratory mudslides. The breeze was a steady northerly, forecast to die when the sea breeze takes over in the afternoon. Everyone knew the move was to get south under kite fast, pick up the sea breeze and take it to victory.
The question was how to play the tide and when to take the leap across Rhode Island Sound. The fleet separated into several packs. To the east was the Newport J boat team, J92s Spirit, J109 Vento Solare and leading the pack Leading Edge, Tom Sutton’s J122. His team put their powerful sail plan to use and powered south under their kite. To the west was the non-spin boats using poled out jibs to Rhumb Line to the finish as much as possible. Down the center, Party Tree Racing leaned into what they are good at, using their light boat and big kite to sail deep. Followed close behind by the single-handed Rambunctious who was keeping up with the fully crewed J80. Out in front, was a new addition. Don Smith brought his Brooklin Boatyard 76 Falcon to the race as a warm-up for the Safe Harbor event the next weekend. The boat had only been in Don Smith’s stable for 7 days and this was her first race since the acquisition. Equipped with a pro team and enough varnish to put the rest of the fleet to shame, Falcon stretched her wings and flew out in front.
As the fleet compressed for the rounding of 1BI all eyes were on Falcon ahead. The northerly was slowly dying and the sea breeze was taking over. Teams knew there were gains to be made by whoever managed the shift the best. Sail changes all around as the foredeck teams got kites down and tacticians switched to Code Zeros and working sail. Line Honors went to Falcon who showed the fleet a boat can look beautiful and sail fast. Spinnaker honors went to the Party Tree who leaned on their downwind skills honed by years of buoy racing. Cruising class and overall honors went to Fireball whose skipper Don Kern proved the Twenty Hundred Club ethos that it doesn’t just take expensive sails and hard work to win races and have fun.
As the fleet paraded into new harbor they were met by the welcoming committee, friends and fans alike lined Coast Guard Beach to wave and cheer as the racers arrived. After the obligatory parade the fleet settled into their berths for the weekend. The boats were cleaned up down below (as were the sailors themselves). The first round of mudslides always tastes the best after you earned it on the racecourse. The sailors all assembled at the tent at Champlins for a party, a welcome reunion for many after Block Island Race Week. Dinner was served with drinks as the crews discussed their tactics and traded the stories of the day. The Twenty Hundred Club runs races but races bring people together. After one more chicken slider than is recommended (the best of the food offerings) the crews dispersed to various bars and boats. Some had drinks together on each other’s boat, some left to find a local band. But a good time was had by all.
The 20HC BI Race is organized as a race out, a mandatory lay day and then a race back. The planned lay day festivities involve a beach day on the island. This year it was decided Coast Guard Beach was the preferred location. After a morning Payne’s breakfast sandwich, crews made their way to the beach. A beautiful day greeted everyone for a parade of boats and a swim to beat the heat. The camaraderie of racers is evident when you even spend your time off the water together. After a swim, some beverages and snacks a dinghy convoy was organized to get everyone back to their respective docks. After dinner several crews gathered to listen to live music at Mahogany Shoals before retiring for the evening.
Twenty Hundred Club Racers Gather on Coast Guard Beach for a swim during the off day between races.
The race back started Sunday with a standard Rhode Island southerly sea breeze. S/V Blue Skies who was not racing came out as support crew started the cruising and spinnaker class. A downwind drag race to 1BI ensued with The Party Tree looking like a proverbial dog chasing a truck nipping at Falcon’s heels until her waterline and sail plan proved no match for the little J80. This was what dreams are made of. Set a kite at the start and sail straight to Newport. Sail Fast, Sail Straight, Good Vibes as my old tactician always says. Party Tree and Spirit as the small J boats had a lively race trying to edge each other out. While the tall rigs of Falcon and Leading Edge powered past the fleet. Crews enjoyed a downwind run in good conditions back to Newport. After gathering at the finish everyone reported their times to Bill Kneller on Vento Solare who was nice enough to keep the scores. This time around despite a penalty Party Tree barely edged out the superb crew of Spirit for first place. Don Kern also repeated his 1st place in cruising class on Fireball.
In sailing, victory can mean a lot of things, 1st place is always the goal but there are many victories along the way. Maybe it’s the tacking duel, or the perfect kite drop. Maybe it’s the first mudslide waiting for you at the dock. At the Twenty Hundred Club we measure success as getting people out on the water enjoying our local Rhode Island racing and the great people who do it. This weekend showed us that winning is a lot of things, winning races, winning the party and spending time with old and new friends.
Party Tree Racing’s own, Mike Filimon (and 20HC’s Race Committee Chair) put together this recap.
