30th Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville - Day 1: North Sails race day

Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville - Day 1 © Stephen R Cloutier

Block Island Race Week's 30th edition, presented by Margaritaville, had "champagne conditions" for the first day of racing, North Sails Race Day, on all three race circles.

Racing got off on time after boats poured out of the Great Salt Pond spit from Champlin's Resort and Marina, the Boat Basin and Payne's Dock to form the infamous "boat parade" heading for the start lines.

From the crew on Ohana, the words to describe the day were "beautiful, stunning, amazing day of racing," said Yori Petunous. "Despite a finish 'toward' the rear," he quipped with a laugh and a smile. "The crew will be ready for day 2," he promised as they moved off the afternoon dock for a bit of "island time."

The same response came from Bella Mente navigator Ian Moore. "For us, it serves as a great opportunity to race on a course against experienced competition," he said as they tune up the 74-foot boat after many major modifications. "We're learning what the boat can and can't do and we're excited to be able to test the boat against a great collection of great racers." They plan to enter the boat in the Maxi World championships in Italy and look forward to the remainder of the week on the water. "This is just fantastic to have coastal conditions."

Moore said he has fallen in love with the island. "This place is a bit magical," he said with a broad grin. "I got out on a bike for a bit and every turn is spectacular."

"We had a great day," noted owner John Griefzu of Growth Spurt, a Stamford, Conn. based J/109 who is vying for their North American Championship. "We won the first race today and I think we're ahead on points," he noted. The last time they raced for the championship a power boat hit them right before the final race and scuttled their chances to win first place. "This year we have grown championship beards," he said through laughter.

Entropy, Paul Hamilton and Patricia Young's, Swan 42 out of Jamestown, RI raved about the race course saying: "We had three really tight, well-run races today," according to tactician Ben Greenfield. "The Storm Trysail Club is top-notch, so professional. Today was efficient and a whole lot of fun," he noted as he stepped onto the dock. "Can't wait for Tuesday."

As the way sailboat racing sometimes goes, there were a number of protests pending at the time of publication, so some results maybe in flux. It goes to show that the first day of racing was a push out of the gate. Tomorrow, the 174 boats will head into Regatta Craft Mixers for day two of racing.

"We are looking forward to another day like today according to the forecast," said Race Director Dick Neville. "With even more wind predicted for Wednesday."