DOUG CLARK & PAULA ZUBRYCKI TAKE ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS

Jacksonville was its usual great self for the Atlantic Coast Championship which saw the fleet enjoy some fantastic racing and some equally fantastic partying. The large, comfy club with excellent facilities provided a home from home while the flat water and medium air made it easy for everyone to go fast and really enjoy the racing. Satuday brought a 10-14 knot North Easterly with nice 10' shifts. Harry Melges dominated with a 2-1-1 while Morgan Reeser helming for Neil Sullivan was the next most consistant with a 1-3-2.

On Sunday the Northeaster was a bit lighter at around 8 knots dropping off to 5. Melges and Reeser had an exciting duel, passing each other several times in the first race with Reeser just getting by Melges in the last 50 yards to take 10th to Harry's 13th. With a second place finish Doug Clark helming for Paula Zubrycki closed in on the leaders after their 5-7-6 on Saturday.

On the final race Melges led Reeser in the early stages but Reeser then passed Melges going into the final beat. The breeze dropped to as little as three knots and Melges, leveraging hard off to the right, caught a faint wind line and sailed up to and around Reeser, but the breeze then faded and went to the left, allowing Reeser to beat Melges.

The surprise move of the final race came from Doug Clark moving from 15th at the final leeward mark,going hard right and passing everyone to win the race and the regatta by one point over Reeser/Sullivan.

Overall a fantastic regatta and a great warm up for the forthcoming Worlds. Many thanks to the Club and organisers - we look forward to being back again next year.