The 2014 AMYA Marblehead Class National Championship regatta was sailed on the weekend of May 17-18 in Marblehead, and the venue was Redd's pond, the birthplace of the M Class. Ten Ms competed, making for a fun weekend.
After a rain delay due to a frontal passage on Saturday, the wind settled in Southwest 3-10 mph and faded as the day went on. Sunday started out with a brisk Northeast wind which faded, shifted to Southwest, and then faded to nothing. The courses were mostly windward leeward twice around. The twenty-six races sailed provided plenty of excitement and opportunity to strategically sail.
This years NCR brought all Marblehead's under AMYA rule onto the pond and greeted with open-arms, it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that boats from different eras can compete in extremely close competition on the same race-course if managed appropriately. Most of the races were highly competitive, and typically several boats were in contention at the front of the fleet. Lead changes occurred throughout many races, and the race course was long enough to warrant long term tactical maneuouvers. The quality most needed in the challenging wind conditions was consistency in order to win.
The scores indicate precisely what one would expect, With newer "Modern Designs" taking a point advantage over the "Classic" designs in overall scores. But that's not to say that a Classic jumped up and took a pole position on a regular occurrence. And in some instances they finished first overall for the heat. The same rules of racing engage on the race course, and skippers were scored overall as well as within their division making for some extremely satisfied skippers. Some 40 points separate all "Modern" division boats. And only 30 points separate "Classic" division boats, Proving that the design criteria set forth by Marblehead Class executives is accurate.
Trophies for the first three places in each group were awarded. The winner overall and in the Modern Division was Standley Goodwin. Second was John Whalen and third was Eddie Wolfe. In the Classic group it was Jim Linville taking the lead, and 6th overall. Second was Herb Dreher and third was Rick Gates.
Our RD and scorekeeper Craig Speck did a wonderful job keeping the regatta organized, moving, and setting our courses with wind-shifts. Three throw outs were used on 26 races, resulting in 23 scored races. Twenty three races!
This data gives a fantastic baseline for future Marblehead Class growth. It substantially proves that any M can be sailed on the same race course within divisional criteria, and not impede the results of others. Starboard tack stays on!
It's this basis that should bring twice the turnout for the 2015 Marblehead Class National Championships. There truly is no such thing as an "Obsolete" Marblehead.
We had a fantastic crowd turnout, including some Visitors from England, and a Local TV station filming our races to be broadcast on TV. Multiple press releases were made to the Marblehead Reporter and the pond was buzzing with activity.
We have many, many photos (60 of them actually) which may be viewed at the following link:
An A+ Weekend.
And the club is itching to do it all over again.
Overall Scores:
(1) Standley Goodwin 43pts (Pinter II)
(2) John Whalen 55pts (Paradox)
(3) Eddie Wolfe74pts (Viper)
(4) Ben Martin 77pts (Pinter III)
(5) Colin Mosgrove 83pts(Skalpel)
(6) Jim Linville 152 pts (Epic)
(7) Richard Sbordone 152pts (Archer)
(8) Herb Drehr 180pts (Epic)
(9) Richard Gates 181pts(Custom)
(10) Steve Cruse209pts (Pinter II)
