Thursday, September 1, 2016

Classic Chicago Verve Cup

J/70s sailing Chicago YC Verve Cup (Chicago, IL)- The Chicago Yacht Club end-of-season finale has been a well-attended event for decades and the 2016 version continued in that tradition, with strong ORR handicap fleets and also great turnouts for the top one-design fleets in Chicago- like the J/111s, J/109s and J/105s.

After a successful hosting of the J/111 North Americans, the Chicago YC PRO/ RC crew continued to provide great racing for the local fleet of eleven boats.  This time, it was San Diego sailor Bennet Greenwald's PERSEVERANCE that won the tough class.  They were followed by Brad Faber’s UTAH in second, Jeff Davis’ SHAMROCK in third, Rich Witzel’s ROWDY in fourth and Dorin Candea’s WOOTON in fifth.

J/105s sailing Chicago YC Verve CupAfter winning their division in both Mac Races this year (Chicago-Mac & Bayview-Mac), it was not surprising to see that Bruce Danly & Jim Mitchell’s TOA won the seven boat J/109 class by just one point over Peter Priede’s FULL TILT.  Third was David Gustman’s NORTHSTAR, fourth Robert Evans’ GOAT RODEO, and Jack Toliver’s VANDA III.

A familiar face was sitting atop the podium for the J/105 class; winning the competitive seven-boat class was Clark Pellett’s SEALARK, with Mike Sheppard’s FLYING PIG in second, Jon Weglarz’s THE ASYLUM in third, Sandy Curtiss’ ROCKING HORSE in fourth and Gyt Petkus’ VYTIS in fifth.

In the ORR 2 Division, Andy Graff’s new J/88 EXILE took second and Tim Wade’s J/88 WINDSONG placed fifth. Rick Stage’s J/35 ALPHA PUPPY ended up 7th, though only 4 pts out of fifth!  For more Verve Cup Offshore sailing information