This years New York Yacht Club 168th Annual Regatta saw three of the worlds most high performance race yachts on the start line. Three Maxi 72s, Bella Mente, Vesper and Proteus, all powered by Doyle, continued their on water rivalry during the two day regatta on Narragansett Bay, Newport.
After two intense days, it was Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente that secured the overall victory in both the weekend regatta and the Around the Island Race earlier in the week.
Terry Hutchinson, tactician, comments, “A solid day aboard Bella Mente. Moose, Soapy and Doogie executed a good start and while Proteus had the jump on us Bella Mente quickly got locked in upwind. The squad led around Beavertail for a long VMV downwind dodging transition area and executing consistent boat handling. A great team day!”
The ORC division was rounded out with George Sakellaris’ Proteus in 2nd place, and Jim Swartz’ Vesper in third overall.
Day one of the NYYC Annual regatta saw Maxi 72 Bella Mente claim 1-2-1 in the first three races, Ian “Soapy” Moore, Navigator, comments: “A really solid day for Bella Mente in light and tricky conditions . NYYC did a great job getting 3 races in and there was fantastic and close racing in the mini maxi fleet.”
Day two of the regatta saw solid wind throughout the day, creating the opportunity for up to three races for all classes. The race committee made sure to give the competitors their money’s worth of sailing and pushed the event right out the time limit.
Hap Fauth, owner of Bella Mente: “Great to have Bella back racing in Newport for the NYYC Annual Regatta! Congratulations to my Bella Crew!”
Terry Hutchinson, tactician: “It was a hard fought series. Vesper and Proteus both sailed well and pushed hard. Some mental mistakes tactically cost us dearly in race 5 but high marks to the team for never wavering. Great to see Bella Mente succeed after all the work that has been done….yet we know A LOT more to do!”
In ORC Division B, Doyle powered yachts enjoyed a brilliant weekend of racing with Jim Madden’s Stark Racing Mad IX (Carkeek 47) in 4th and Gwen and Austin Fragomen’s Interlodge IV (Botin 44) in 5th place.
New York Yacht Club’s Commodore Paul Zabetakis on board his Doyle powered Swan 42 Impetuous ended the event in 2nd overall in the ORC Division C.
“A solid weekend on Impetuous, second place at the NYYC Annual after 3 bullets on Sunday to make up for a tough Saturday” comments Alex Clegg of Doyle Newport, sailing with Paul.
ABOUT NYYC ANNUAL REGATTA // The New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta was first sailed on the Hudson River on July 16 and 18, 1846. A similar competition the previous year was called a Trial of Speed. With a few exceptions for world wars and other global crises, the event has been held every year since. For most of its existence, the Annual Regatta was raced on waters close to New York City. Since 1988, however, the event has been sailed out of the Harbour Court clubhouse in Newport, R.I., and has settled into the current three-day format.
ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // As sailors, our obsession with sailing connects us to the water. The water is our playground, a sanctuary where we seek enjoyment, a competitive playing field where we race as competitors; it’s sometimes our home and always a place that unlocks our sense of adventure wherever that adventure might take us.
Behind every adventure is a Doyle sailor who shares this same obsession as you. We put your journey at the heart of what we do to deliver the ultimate enjoyment and performance, powering our constant need to push the boundaries in sail design and innovation and reimagine sailing.
We are your experts, from dinghies, club racers and cruising yachts to Grand Prix campaigns and Superyachts. Meet our team here.
Doyle powered Maxi 72s claim top three at the NYYC 168th Annual Regatta.