Five way tie

Talbot Wilson reports from day one of the Bacardi Bermuda International Invitational Race Week

Day 1 of Bermuda International Invitational Race Week, sponsored by Bacardi, started with cloudy skies and predictions for a few passing showers and increasing winds. It all came as expected and the changing conditions shuffled the class winners around from the first to second races in several classes.

The International Etchells are in a 5-way tie with Americans Tim Lynch, David Jones and Peter Duncan locked at 6 points each with Bermudans Christian Luthie and Tim Patton. Three J-24’s are deadlocked. Bermudans John Corless and Mike Lewis are tied with UK sailor Stuart Jardine with 5 points each.

IOD favorite Bill Widnall got a 1-3 and leads rival Kevin Farrar who got a 6-1 and finished the second race with a commanding lead. Jamie Sheldon is close behind in third with a 2-6.

The J/105 battle between Tom Coates' Masquerade from California and the Bermuda’s Adam Barboza sailing Mark Cloutier’s Addiction continues where it left off in Florida. Barboza got a 1-2 for the day and Coates got a 4-1. It was Coates' birthday and he and his crew came through with a clear win in the second race after trailing through two laps.

Lasers, 505s and Snipes raced on course Bravo. Brett Wright leads the Lasers with two bullets and he is followed by Jay Riihiluoma with 6 points. J Berquist is out front in the 505s with 4 points to Chuck Millican, John Hauser and James Macdonald’Gordon Fleming.

Al classes will hold two races on Monday except the 505s who plan three.

Inaugurated by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in 1952, Bermuda's Bermuda International Invitational Race Week sponsored by Bacardi (for the 6th year) has become an established international yachting fixture each spring - attracting top skippers from many countries.