Monday, October 26, 2009

J/22 North Americans

Flip Wins Showdown at OK Corral!
Heath, TX (September 30, 2009) - Phil "Flip" Wehrheim, of Rochester, NY, scored bullets in three of four races to rule day one at the Genesta J/22 North American Championship at Rush Creek Yacht Club. Sailing with Max Skelley and Greg Koski, Wehrheim controlled the other 36 teams, and finished the first day with just 8 points.  They held their lead by only by one point heading into the final day of racing.  Scott Young of Austin, TX placed in the top three in each of Thursday’s races, including a first in the last race of the day.  With one throw-out coming into play, Wehrheim’s team sat with 15 points to Young’s 16 going into Sunday. With seven races completed, Terry Flynn held the third-place position with 21 points, and Kelson Elam followed him with 25 points.  Elam won Thursday’s first race, and Wehrheim won the middle race.  Competitors saw a wide range of weather on Lake Ray Hubbard, including rain to start and sun to finish.  Most of the day, winds blew between 8-12 knots, building to 18 in the final race.

However, Sunday became anti-climactic for the leaders because all racing was canceled due to no wind!  Competitors were postponed on shore until early Sunday afternoon.  An attempt to complete at least one race proved unsuccessful, as the light winds never settled, and teams were sent back to shore.  The top 10 were: Flip Wehrheim (15 points), Scott Young (16), Terry Flynn (21), Kelson Elam (25), Chris Doyle and Eric Faust (tied at 33), Rob Johnston (35), Dave Kerr and Marvin Beckmann (tied at 56) and Max Scott (58).

The J/22 Class and the competitors wish to thank Genesta as the title sponsor, Rush Creek Yacht Club, PRO Mike Anderson and the entire race committee.  For more regatta info.