A Howth Yacht Club crew were part of the 156 Etchells sailors that visited Biscayne Bay for The Coral Reef Cup in Miami, Florida, last weekend.
This three-day regatta, March 17-19th, served not only as the class' 2023 North American Championships but the final chance for teams to race at the host venue for next month’s 2023 AON World Etchells Class Championships.
Alex and William Lacy, with Andrew Crosbie and Diana Kissane, formed the Howth Yacht Club crew on JaJa.
Following a successful four-event Winter Series hosted by Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, their neighbours, Coral Reef Yacht Club, served as host for the 46 teams and ran seven races with social events throughout the weekend.
At the end of Friday, after 3 races, Steve Benjamin, with his brand new Etchells, Stella Blue (USA 1427), was at the top of the podium with all top 10 finishes with George Francisco’s American Baby (USA 1454) just behind followed by the Winter Series Champion Jim Cunningham’s Lifted (USA 1504).
Now all eyes and focus of the sailors are on the World Championships that will begin on April 17th, co-hosted by Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Coral Reef Yacht Club, and Shake-A-Leg Miami.
Final top ten - 46 boats
1. Lifted, USA1504, Jim Cunningham / Steve Hunt / Erik Shampain / Serena Vilage, 38 points
2. Odd Ball, USA1513, Jack Franco / Richard Clarke / Ben Lamb, 46
3. Skanky Gene, USA1464, jay cross / Taylor canfield / George peet / Franny schulte, 47
4. Eat,Sleep,E,Repeat, GBR1493, Paul Ward / Charlie Cumbley / Paul Childs, 54
5. Veracity, USA1477, John Sommi / Victor Diaz de Leon / Will Ryan / Beccy Anderson, 55
6. American Baby, USA1454, George Francisco / Chris Larson / Chuck Norris, 55
7. Cruel Jane 2.0, CAN1501, Luke Lawrence / Andrew Macrae / Brad Boston, 61
8. Louise, USA1481, Thomas Carruthers / Bill Hardesty / Jeff Reynolds, 62
9. Vertigo 2, USA1368, Chris Lanza / Tomas Hornos / Tim Banks, 63
10. Stella Blue, USA1427, Stephen Benjamin / Michael Buckley / Ian Liberty / Dave Hughes, 63
Full results on YachtScoring.com and below