About Boston Harbor Island Alliance

Cyble Wins Mayor's Cup in Boston Harbor Islands Regatta

Boston - Sep 26 Rick Burnes sailing the IMX 45 CYBELE with partner David Rockefeller, Jr. and BHIR Regatta Chairman, Enid Beal aboard, had the largest margin of victory among the two fleets totalling 97 boats to win the Mayor's Cup for top performance in the event and the Beal Consulting Trophy for first among cruising canvas competitors in Fleet 2. The last boats to start where the first to finish this year, as CYBELE spotted the first starter 53 minutes on the challenging 12 mile figure-of-eight course around the islands. In Fleet 1, skipper Michael D'Amelio from Marblehead and the Boston Yacht Club flew around the course in the 70 foot custom Nelson-Marek designed DENALI to just beat Jeff Kent's souped-up J/35 BLACK SEAL from the Hingham YC and Peter Brown's Henderson 30 HEART OF GOLD from Constitution YC across the line for the Beal Consulting Trophy as winner of the spinnaker fleet.

The day lived up to the forecast with light to moderate easterly winds and sunny skies. Regatta Director, Bob Johnstone, sent the two fleets off on Course 2, starting just west of Georges Island with a counter-clockwise loop around Boston Light and the infamous Outer Brewster Island. The fleet made quite a sight tacking out Nantasket Roads with sunlight glittering on the waves. Later starting boats seemed to have a slight advantage in the building winds, not to mention nearly 100 boats ahead of them to serve as wind tell-tales, indicating which side of the Roads to play.

The race became even more challenging as boats battled large waves, with bows sometimes coming out of the water all the way to the keels then plunging down again. Keeping the sails full was a challenge as the wind faded in velocity seaward of the islands. Sailors were treated to the pounding of surf on the nearby reefs and islands as they struggled to get through the Hypocrite Channel between Little Calf and Green Islands. It was evident that the more powerful asymmetric spinnakers enabled these boats to sustain way to get throught the lump, while heavier non-spinnaker boats had a tough time keeping their sails full. Fortunately, low tide was just before noon, so there was a flood current to pull them through the channel.

A momeent of drama occurred when the yacht GEORGIA ROSE contacted the Race Committee to report a crew member was feeling feint and unsteady. The Race Committee contacted the Sea Tow boat, which was assisting with conducting the race. Sea Tow contacted the US Coast Guard and guided the Boston Police Boat to GEORGIA ROSE, where the stricken individual was transferred to the Boston Police craft, ministered to and sped to an EMT ashore. The coordination and response from these 3 organizations in less than 5 minutes was nothing short of spectacular. Another reason why boating in Boston Harbor is such a unique experience.

The parade of yachts was spectacular as the fleet navigated through The Narrows west of Lovell Island to complete their figure of eight course by rounding Rainsford Island clockwise then heading for the finish.

It is hard to imagine a nicer day to be out sailing in Boston Harbor around it's beautiful islands.

Winner of bragging rights among yacht clubs for the year, winning the prestigeous EOEA Secretary's Yacht Club Challenge was the ConstitutionYacht Club, which displaced perennial winner Hingham YC, with outstanding performances by Craig Speck's Alerion 38 VIGOR, HEART OF GOLD and Dave Alexander's Tartan 40 AJA. The President's Bowl honoring the top City Sailing Club went to the Boston Harbor Sailing Club's team with Joe Perkell sailing the J/29 SLIPPERY WHEN WET, Michael Kaye driving the Cal 33 BUSINESS COACH and brother Dr. Raj K. Sharma Trophy for winning Class F.

Top female skipper in Fleet 1 was Elizabeth Lamb in the Aphrodite 101 AVERISERA, who won The Daily Catch Cup and also the Barbara Lee Family Foundation Bowl for Class C . In Fleet 2 it was Meghan Wellborn from Chelsea and Cottage Park YC who won the Davis Family Bowl and the Dr. R.K. Sharma Trophy for winning Class F.

The top master, 65 or older, in Fleet 1 for the Windward Investment Trophy was Jim Feeley in his J/109 LADY LOVE, while in Fleet 2 for the Fallon Cup it was Rick Burnes in CYBELE. No stranger to winning, the Graul Family took The Burnes Family Bowl for the best performance by an all-family crew in the event, also winning The Winthrop & McCance Tropy for Class E.

The only Class winner not mentioned thus far is Miguel Corti of Charlestown in his Mirage 338 BANTRY, who had a nip and tuck battle with Mat Pike's J/105 GOT QI for top honors in Class B and 4th overall.

One-Design Trophies were handed out to the top boat of any design with 3 or more competing. This year there were 6 designs: J/22, Soling, Cape Dory 28, Frers 33, Thunderbird and Catalina 30.

Complete results and the list of Trophy Winners is attached. There will be a party to hand out the awards at the Daily Catch Restaurant this coming Tuesday, September 29.

Background Information:

Boston Harbor Island Alliance promotes public awareness and use of the Boston Harbor Islands national park area by creating vibrant spaces, facilities, and programming on the islands, raising and managing the public and private resources necessary to do so. www.islandalliance.org 617-223-8672.

The Boston Harbor Islands national park area features 34 islands, encompassing 1,600 acres and 35 miles of undeveloped ocean shoreline- all within 10 miles of downtown Boston. The islands feature hiking trails, beaches, ranger-led tours, camping nature walks and historic sites. www.bostonharborislands.org 617-223-8666