NORTH SAILS PODIUM SWEEP AT THE INAUGURAL I-420 MID-ATLANTICS

Congratulations Tommy Sitzmann & Luke Woodworth

The very first International-420 Mid-Atlantic Championship was held on 17-18 October at a new, community sailing venue called The Chesapeake Experience which lies E/NE of Baltimore on the Gunpowder River; a fantastic sailing spot!

Day One, Saturday 17th October – Constant Gear Shifting

The fleet had to wait a bit, but the forecasted northerly came in around 11:30, and four races were run in very light conditions as well as full trapeze sailing. The key to success was constant gear shifting. Unlike an ocean venue, where many i420 regattas are sailed, this inland location threw constant wind shifts and breeze-strength changes at the sailors. Teams that quickly shifted their sail and weight trim were faster as this responsiveness allowed them to link puffs and stay in the phase for longer.

Day Two, Sunday 18th October – Patience, Patience

The Race Committee actively sought wind, moving the racecourse from one part of the river to another to allow two more races to be completed. These races tested the patience of every team, and the young duo of Freddie Parkin and Thomas Whidden (name sound familiar?), outperformed the fleet winning both races. This moved them up to third overall in the final results. Great fun was had by all, and an i420 training fleet is now born at this venue!

Congratulations to Tommy Sitzmann and Luke Woodworth for winning the very first i420 Mid-Atlantic Championship, and Cordelia Burn and Sarah Moeder for their close second-place finish. Boats powered by North Sails dominated this event, finishing 1,2,3,4,5. Most teams used the M-9 mainsail and the J-12 jib, and there were both S-1 and S-5 spinnakers doing very well downwind.

Keen to know more? Contact North Sails expert Tom Sitzmann for a full discussion and we look forward to seeing you next year!