1. Encore
2. Barbcat
3. Leda
4. Evergreen
5. Windsong
6. Tern Royal
1. Mentor
2. Park Place
3. Golden Rule
4. Esperance
5. Arabesque
6. Aquilo
1. Windshear
2. Enharette
3. Nunnehi
4. Bruja
5. Savage
6. Brilliant Disqu
7. Sling Shot
8 Zephyrrr
9. Anneliese
1. Spectre
2.. Euphoria
3. Meltemi
4. Banshee
5. Intrepid
1. Surrender
2. Elusive
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. J-Ale Time
5. Trescooch
6. Aurora
1. Secret
2. Dr. Evil
3. Caliente
4. Orca
The Branford held it's annual race with 6 classes and a total of forty two boats.
Sunny skies and light winds were forecast, so the weathermen were half right. The fleet was treated to blue skies but had to deal with a shifty Northwesterly with gust over 17 knots. The first leg for the Spinnaker classes was from the starting line near Branford Reef, to a mark near the entrance to New Haven Harbor. Light winds and a foul tide held most boats off the line. Future racers should note the R.C. did not use rolling starts so there was extra time between classes. We were slow off the line and got headed shortly after the start. We wanted to go way right to get out of the current, so we tacked and headed in. We lucked out as the boats that went to the right found much more pressure and less current. When we tacked back onto starboard, things were looking great. The fleet had to deal with great variations of wind speed and 30 degree shifts. At the top mark it was a close reach out to a bell at the mouth of New Haven Harbor. There were a few round ups in the fleet but nothing bad. We jibed and headed back to Browns Reef at a course of about 100 degrees. Golden Rule caught us but we were able to draft along on his hip quarter wave. After rounding, it was back up to the first mark and a jibe set then a reach down to the finish. In Class D, Meltemi and Spectre were fighting for first place. Meltemi came from behind to get the gun, but Spectre corrected ahead of her. Duck Island Yacht Club was well represented placing boats in the money in classes A, B, C, and D. Surrender won her class and will rack up lots of ECSA points and Encore scored some points as well. Canvas racers should keep an eye out for these boats as well as Leda. The R.C. had a tough time indentifing a few of the boats finishing but called the owners together after the race and sorted the whole thing out. Great Job. One of the best things about racing, is the party afterwards and Branford's party is second to none. You can't beat a cool drink, (rum) in the shade overlooking the harbor. Thanks for a great day Branford Yacht Club.