(Fort Lauderdale, FL)- This year’s SORC Nassau Cup Race had all the
makings of a “fast drifter”, with the forecast calling for winds in the
lighter end of the spectrum at the start and providing just moderate
gradient flow for the crews as they cross the ubiquitous, cobalt blue
Gulf Stream, then bending around the island chain back down into the
Nassau finish line off their signature candy-cane striped lighthouse at
the end of the point at the harbor entrance. After a very slow Gulf Stream crossing, the fleet made its way between Great Isaac Cay and Great Stirrup Cay with the J/125 RAISIN’ CANE, sailed by Frank Atkinson and crew from Coconut Grove Sailing Club and West Palm Beach, FL sailing neck and neck with a Carkeek 40 called Decision.
By
Saturday late morning, Decision and RAISIN’ CANE had rounded the corner
at Great Stirrup and was making nice progress toward the finish in
Nassau, currently along the coast of Little Harbour Cay, home to the
famous Flo's Conch Bar and Chester's famous Rum Punch— which must be as
tempting as sirens' song to the sailors as they slide past in the light
afternoon breeze.Ultimately, the PHRF Division was won by the J/125 RAISIN’ CANE helmed by Frank Atkinson. Taking third overall was the famous J/120 CARINTHIA skippered by Frank Kern from Bayview YC in Detroit, MI. Along the way, the beautiful (but light) sailing conditions enabled Frank himself to catch on video a school of dolphins playing in front of their bow during the race. Watch some of that sweet playfulness here on YouTube.
In the meantime, the IRC Division saw a real tussle between the Carkeek 40 and the J/122 TEAMWORK sailed by Robin Team from Lexington, NC. In the end, Robin’s TEAMWORK took 2nd overall, just 22 minutes corrected behind the overall winner. For more Nassau Cup Race sailing information
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