Martin/Nelson Win 505 NAs

Mike Martin and Jeff Nelson won the 505 North Americans while sitting out the last race after scoring four bullets and a second in the six-race, one-throwout series on the Circle. The Southern California duo has won practically every regatta on the Bay leading up to the NAs, so we weren’t surprised to see this result. Santa Cruz’ Mike Holt, sailing with Carl Smit, have been knocking on the door recently and, after a scoring a 6-2-2-2-1 in the first five races, were able to sit out the last one as well to take second for the regatta.

“Its been a great week but the long days tire you out and you can make mistakes,” Holt said. “It was a bit lighter today so it made for a fantastic day. That, and knowing we didn’t have to go out for the last race.”

Being as it’s sailing on the Circle, yet launching from Crissy Field, the 69-boat fleet has been sailing not only two races a day of a minimum w-l-w-reach-l-w-l-upwind finish, but they’ve essentially had to sail a triple weather leg to just get back to the barn!

For those who did sail the final race of the series, third in the regatta went to Howie Hamlin and Ian Mitchell, with fourth going to reigning world champions Ian Pinnell and Carl Gibbon. East coasters Tyler Moore and Geoff Ewenson were fifth. Next up is the 100 boat SAP 505 Worlds which start Sunday.