South Dartmouth, Mass. (August 9, 2015) – Helmsmen Michael Easton and Ravi Parent went head-to-head this weekend in their Formula 18 catamarans at the 43rd Buzzards Bay Regatta. For the first time in history, the U.S. Multihull Championship for the Hobie Alter Trophy was decided at this historic New England Regatta.
Easton and crew Tripp Burd sailed a near-perfect regatta by winning 9 of 11 races, including both races Sunday. Parent and Sam Armington earned second place honors. He placed second in 9 of 11 races, with two wins.
The U.S Multihull Championship fleet completed four races Friday, five on Sunday, and two Sunday on Padanaram Harbor in Buzzards Bay.
“It’s been years in the making after sailing here for so many years,” said Easton, who has raced for Alter Trophy on many occasions. “Today was full on breeze. We had to crank everything as tight as we can and pull everything as hard as we can.”
“Ravi found his gears in the heavy breeze. He got us at the top mark a couple times, but we were able to grind past him downwind and that made all the difference.”
“The breeze came up today, which made things really exciting,” explained Parent, who is entering his Sophomore season at Boston University. “It was a lot closer and the fleet wasn’t as spread out.”
Final Top 5 Standings
1. Michael Easton, NENSA, 1-1-1-1-1-2-[3]-1-1-1-1- ; 11
2. Ravi Parent, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, [2]-2-2-2-2-1-1-2-2-2-2- ; 18
3. Todd Riccardi, Sail Newport, 3-3-4-4-4-3-2-3-4-[5]-5- ; 35
4. Sandra Tartaglino, NENSA, [6]-4-3-3-6-5-5-5-3-6-4- ; 44
5. Blair Toland, Sail Newport, [7]-5-5-6-7-6-4-4-5-3-3- ; 48
Complete Standings
Social Media Highlights
and we’re off for race 5, great condition clear skies beautiful day for sailing. #multihullchamps15 @ussailing A photo posted by Liz Ferenbach Walker (@liz.f.walker) on
Photo Gallery
Created with flickr slideshow.
The 2015 Buzzards Bay Regatta was hosted by New Bedford Yacht Club. This US Sailing National Championship was contested in Formula 18 multihull sailboats for the third time since 2008.
For more information about the U.S. Multihull Championship, including results and standings, Twitter updates from the racecourse, photos, and more, visit the US Sailing event website.
Other classes racing this week included PHRF Cruising, PHRF Racing, International 420, Club 420, Vanguard 15, Lasers, Laser Radials, Shields, J/24, J/80, and J/22. For additional information from the 43rd Buzzards Bay Regatta, visit the event website.
The 2015 U.S. Multihull Championship is sponsored by Gill North America, Hobie Polarized, and Switlik Survival Products.
BBR On-Site Contact: Mary Ellen DeFrias, mary@defriasgroup.com
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the exclusive importer and distributor of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, US and Canada. Gill is a worldwide apparel and accessories brand serving the marine industry with over three decades of experience. Gill specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company develops and markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. Gill products are available through hundreds of independent dealers and select West Marine Stores. For further information, please contact: Gary Barker at 941-505-2111 or gary.barker@gillna.com.
About Hobie Polarized
Hobie Polarized is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of polarized eyewear. The brand’s innovative lens technology allows total glare reduction, 100% UV protection, enhances contrast and provides optimum visual acuity. The company’s products are sold worldwide and are used by watermen at all skill and lifestyle levels. The Hobie Polarized headquarters is located in Plainview, New York. For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.hobiepolarized.com.
About Switlik Survival Products
Established in 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. has been owned and operated by the Switlik family for four generations and is known worldwide as a manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military/government markets. Our capabilities include a wide variety of anti-exposure and anti-g suits, inflatable life rafts, inflatable life vests, inflation systems and other specialty textile-based military equipment all manufactured at our 85,000 sq. ft. facility located in Trenton, NJ USA. www.switlik.com