Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club Hosts 2026 Mercury Nationals
Last weekend, Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club hosted the 2026 Mercury Nationals. Jack McAleer shares his account:
Race One
Eleven boats completed the opening race. Ben Mitchell and Scott Easom won by a comfortable margin, a result that reflected the benefit of their practice session the previous day. Dave Morris and Patrick Whitmarsh finished second, just ahead of Randy Hecht and John Buestad.
Race Two
As the northwest breeze built over a moderate west-northwest swell, the conditions began to take a toll. At the start of Race Two, the rudder on #541 failed, forcing Mitchell and Easom to accept a tow back to the harbor. Morris and Whitmarsh were next to retire when their mast broke right above the deck at the beginning of the second weather leg.
Dave West and Chris Krueger won Race Two. Christopher Gould and his son followed, with Hecht and Buestad taking third.
Race Three
Although the wind and swell had increased, conditions remained moderate as the nine remaining Mercurys prepared for Race Three. Principal Race Officer Dick Clark selected a longer course with three windward legs; the first two were followed by a leeward gate, and the final leg by a run to the finish.
By the time the leaders began the third windward leg, gusts had risen above 15 knots, and the swell had reached heights not commonly encountered by Mercury sailors. Four of the nine boats headed for the harbor, and the course was shortened to finish at the end of the third weather leg.
Two of the five top finishers represented the Silver Fleet.
The second day brought sunny skies, a decreasing swell and a northwest breeze that peaked at about 10 knots. Nine Mercurys returned for the final two races, including #504, sailed by Morris and Whitmarsh with a replacement mast.
West and Krueger led the standings with nine points, followed by Dair and Ibold with 11.
Race Four
Spread evenly across the starting line, the fleet began a two-lap windward-leeward course. Near the finish, Dair placed a tight cover on West, allowing Morris to pass. Dair finished first and West third, leaving the two boats tied atop the standings going into the final race.
Race Five and Final Results
The championship leaders kept their distance during the prestart. In the final seconds, Dair approached the committee-boat end of the line while West was nearest the pin. After the starting signal, the race committee displayed the X flag and hailed West as OCS.
Dair and Ibold finished second, while West and Krueger placed fifth. The result gave Dair and Ibold the championship by three points.
Overall Championship
- Greg Dair and Kaelyn Ibold
- Dave West and Chris Krueger
- Christopher Gould and son
Silver Fleet
- Chris Davis and Frank Volker
- Tom and Katy Priest
The Jack & Jill Trophy went to Greg Dair and Kaelyn Ibold.
Many thanks to Principal Race Officer Dick Clark and the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club team.