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US Match Racing Qualifiers

Seven western teams match-raced in StFYC’s J/22s over the weekend on the Cityfront. "The race committee had their hands full keeping a square race course with the shifting currents," commented photographer Chris Ray.

© Chris Ray

Racing for host club St. Francis Yacht Club, Shawn Bennett won the US Match Racing Championship Qualifier over the weekend. Fellow StFYC member Nicole Breault came in second, and her husband Bruce Stone was third, winning the tie-breaker over Andrew Meade from Hawaii.

Tom Purdy (on the bow), his sister Melissa Purdy Feagin, and Eric Baumhoff crewed for winning skipper Shawn Bennett.

© Chris Ray

"The conditions were perfect with wind in the 12- to 18-knot range and relatively flat water," reports Stone, "though the meandering ebb created extra work for the mark-set team and difficult calls for tacticians due to a ‘false flood’ running up the Cityfront from the excessive snowmelt water trying to exit S.F. Bay."

Second-placer finisher Nicole Breault had an all-female crew of Claire Dennis, Karen Loutzenheiser and Eliza Richartz.

© Chris Ray

Bennett qualified to compete for the US Match Racing Championship for the Prince of Wales Bowl at Oakcliff Sailing Center, Oyster Bay, NY, on October 13-15. For complete results, see www.stfyc.com.

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