2010 North American Six Meter Championships
August 13 - 15, 2010
Port Townsend, WA.

Conditions: Sunny and Hot, 7 races, no throw outs, 8 - 10 knots both days.

Photo Gallery - Molly Cadranell.

The 2010 North Americans took place over the weekend of August 14 -15 in Port Townsend, WA. To say the conditions were excellent would be an understatement, with consistent 8 - 10 knots for the 7 races under clear blue skies and warm temperatures. The event opened on Friday evening with a reception at the Port Townsend Foundry courtesy of Pete Langley. On Saturday the Olympic Mountains to the west were clear as were the Cascade Mountains to the east. The races were 5 - 9 miles long on the western end of Quimper Bay with shifts of 5 - 10 degrees making things interesting for the competitors. Tidal currents were present, though not extreme. In the Moderns it was Andy Parker and Finnegan leading after the first 4 races, with Rainer Muller's Saskia II (Olympic medallist Ross MacDonald driving) carrying a 1 point lead over Nick Booth's Flapper. The 2009 World Cup winners, KC 10 Gallant, had a tough start to the regatta with an over early in the second race and then hitting the mark while in the lead in the 3rd.

On Saturday evening the excellent meal, beautiful view, and warm comraderie at the Wooden Boat Foundation was tempered by the news that Karen Davis, wife of May Be VII owner Joth Davis, had passed away earlier in the day. The gathering held several minutes of silence in her remembrance and all express the deepest sympathy to the Davis family.

Sunday's dire weather prediction (light and variable) was inaccurate to everyone's relief and the same consistent breeze from the west allowed the Race Committee to efficiently run 3 more races, 2 of which were twice around the course - approximately 9 miles. Bob Cadranell's Arunga put in a dominating performance, with 3 wins on the last day to win it all. Andy Parker in Finnegan was in hot pursuit and a threat for the overall until an error in judgement at the bottom mark forced a 720 degree turn, and he was then out of contention. It was a seesaw battle in the Classics with leads changing between races and legs, but Rainer Muller's Saskia II ended the day with a 4, enough for a 1 point cushion to take the Classic title, which is symbolized by the Olin J. Stephens II trophy. If you happen to know where the OJS II trophy is located, please contact the webmaster. The Arunga crew wins the Gooderham North American Championship trophy, as well as the US Nationals Trophy. The first 3 places in each division took home an etched tumbler, with the overall winners receiving a lovely 6 metre half-hull mounted on a mahogany plank, all courtesy of Molly & Bob Cadranell.