Elizabeth Named Etchells North American Champion

CHICAGO (September 21, 2014) – Solid winds, tight competition and good camaraderie characterized the three days of racing of the International Etchells Class North American Championship, which wrapped up with two races at the Chicago Yacht Club on Sunday.

“When we started, there was big breeze at 25 knots and a little different than you usually see from that direction,” said PRO Lynn Lynch. “But we had an on-time start and were able to stay on top of the shift. Overall, we ended up with eight good races for the regatta, solid teamwork from the CYC Race Committee and great hospitality from the Chicago Yacht Club.”

Elizabeth, skippered by Tom Carruthers, earned the top spot and was named the International Etchells Class North American Champion. Carruthers, along with crew Andrew Palfrey and Chris Busch, finished fourth and first in the two races sailed on Sunday.

“We had a good day today,” Carruthers said. “Good starts, good speeds. We just went out there trying to be ourselves and did well.”

SCIMITAR, sailed by Steve Benjamin, Chris Larson and Scott Norris, finished in second place. After a tough start on Friday, Raging Rooster, sailed by Peter Duncan, Jud Smith and Tom Blackwel, came back strong on Saturday to finish first in both races and finished third overall.

“The weekend has been fantastic between the breeze, the coordination of the Race Committee – the whole thing has been well done,” Duncan said. “I think we unfortunately shot ourselves in the foot the first day, but we were able to come back the second day. We’re very happy given where we’ve started.”

Awards were also given to the top three Corinthian teams Natasha, sailed by brothers Ted, Jamie and Mark Hardenbergh, finished first.

“It was three days of amazing sailing,” said Ted Hardenbergh. “It felt great being able to come out against some of the top sailors. This was my first time sailing in Chicago, and it was awesome with a consistent solid breeze, the city as the backdrop and crystal-clear freshwater. And being able to sail with my two brothers is a real treat.”

Firebolt (Aaron Housten, Douglas Baker, Daniel Somers) finished second in the Corinthian class, followed by 3 Blind Mice (Paul Sustronk, Jack Sustronk, Ken Benson) in third.

Thirty-two teams competed in the International Etchells Class North American Championship at the Chicago Yacht Club’s Belmont Station from September 19-21.

Complete results are available here.