WindCheck Magazine The Buzzards Bay Regatta

By Don Watson,
Regatta Chair

The MudRatz had four boats in the Melges 20 class. Wild Deuces, skippered by Zach Champney, finished fourth. © Spectrum Photo/Fran

The 47th annual Buzzards Bay Regatta, held on August 2-4, provided three days of sunshine filled racing for 3 classes of kite boards, seven one-design classes, 2 PHRF classes and one NEMA multihull class. Shields and J/80s raced in the waters off Marion, MA, hosted by Beverly Yacht Club. The F18 catamarans, Melges 20s, 5O5s, Laser Masters, Marshall Sandpipers, Kiteboards (including AV8, Foil and Leading Edge), PHRF Race and Multihulls raced from the New Bedford Yacht Club in South Dartmouth. These fleets make BBR one of the most diverse racing fleets anywhere, especially with the inclusion of the high-flying Kite Board classes.

This year’s Buzzards Bay Regatta served as the Marshall Sandpiper Nationals, with 14 boats competing. © Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

The event began with light, but eventually raceable air on Friday, 10-15 knots Saturday, and a good 9-12 knots Sunday. While some fleets got a head start toward home Sunday morning, those that waited were rewarded with two additional races for all fleets. The Marshall Sandpipers held their National Championship within the regatta, and a pair of Gelenitis brothers from Barnegat Bay, NJ battled for first place, with Paul finally finishing first. The 5O5s held their East Coast Championship, with Matthew Barry emerging victorious after nine races.

If there’s another regatta in the Northeast with three Kiteboard classes, we’d like to know about it. © Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

The New England Multihull Association had a competitive fleet of ten boats including two Morrelli & Melvin TF10 foiling trimarans mixed with several Corsairs and customs.

The Buzzards Bay Bowl perpetual trophy for outstanding performance went to perennial competitor David Schwartz of Bristol, RI, whose Seguin 40 Mischief won the PHRF Racing 2 fleet with five bullets in five races. World Champion kiter Nico Parlier, son of Globe legend Yves Parlier, won the Foil kiteboard class with eight bullets in nine races.