Monday, February 18, 2008

Terry Hutchinson & Crew Win St. Pete NOOD


Photos and article by Joy Dunigan
In a record-breaking fleet 49 strong, Terry Hutchinson at the helm for Scott Holmgren on USA-631 Quantum Racing/Rosebud seized the title of the 2008 Melges 24 Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta in sunny, warm St. Peterburg, Florida. Also onboard with Hutchinson was Scott Nixon, Brian Janney and Phoebe Patterson. "The key point of the regatta for us was the first race on day one. We passed about twenty boats on the only downwind run, it was a difficult thing to do. It was a really good comeback. We rounded the top mark in the thirties and battled our way up to finish eleventh."

Hutchinson continued, "It just got better from there. Scott got comfortable on the boat. Every day and with every regatta that I sail this boat it gets better and better. This is probably the first regatta I have actually been able to do more tactics and help with boat speed. I have to give credit to the Full Throttle guys as they sailed really, well. This was a regatta where it was about who struggled less."

Going into today, the results were tight with Hutchinson leading the overalls by four points. A three-way tie of Brian Porter on USA-649 Full Throttle, Doug Clark helming for Geoffery Pierini on USA-551 Gazoo and John Podmajersky USA-511 in second and in fifth was Corinthian Alex Shafer on USA-677 Sweaty Betty. Full Report Click Here