C-Class Cat Championship at New York Yacht Club - Day 5

C-Class Catamaran Championship at the New York Yacht Club © George Bekris

The match-racing portion of the International C-Class Catamaran Championship began today between Canaan, sailed by the defenders Fred Eaton and Magnus Clarke, of Canada, and Alpha, Glenn Ashby and James Spithill, of Australia.

The first two races were abandoned due to very spotty winds. For the third race, the Race Committee moved the start from Weaver’s Cove to just north of the Pell Bridge, where there was 12 knots of wind. At the dial-up, Canaan stalled twice, losing the start and six legs later the first match-race. Score 1-0 for Australia. In the consolation series, expected to be a fleet race of three, Orion dropped out before the start. Invictus, of England, crossed the finish line first, but as Patient Lady VI crossed the finish line her mast tumbled.

For the second actual race today, the Australians again took the start and rounded ahead at the first mark but not by much. A boat length or two. The Canadians, however, passed the Aussies in a diminishing breeze on the downwind leg and were gone. A seemingly minor repair to the Aussie boat paired with a dying breeze curtailed racing for the day. The score is now 1-1.

More information on the Little America's Cup website and the New York Yacht Club website.