2017 Bithell Cup VM Regatta

2017 Bithell Cup VM Regatta Report  
by John Snow

Overview
Ten VM skippers competed in thirteen heats on Saturday, October 21, in the 13th annual Bill Bithell Memorial Cup VM Regatta at historic Redd’s Pond in Marblehead. Skippers were graced by a steady SW breeze with sunny temps in the low 70s for a once-around, windward / leeward course. Rick Gates and Sue Martin were co-scorekeepers. Four Traditional (TR) 1930-1945 VM designs and six High Flyer (HF) 1946-1970 VM designs were raced. We also “welcomed back” Craig Speck for his first racing of the VM season.

Results

Thom McLaughlin with own 1930s era Pentagoet design won out over Alain Jousse and his 1938 Cheerio II design as TR VM winner. He also won the perpetual Bithell VM Cup as rotated annually for this mixed TR and HF boats fleet. Herb Dreher was dominating with his 1950s Sunwind model winning eight heats as the HF VM winner. He beat Stan Goodwin and his 1960s Warrior II by 15 points for overall regatta first place and as HF design champion. Cliff Martin was a close third three points behind with a 1960s Magic Dragon model. Unique Cheerio I etched acrylic plaques on wooden bases, as recently developed by Tod Johnstone of Mystic, CT, were awarded to six VM skippers: the “top three” in the TR and HF designs boats.

 
2017 BITHELL CUP – ELEVEN HEATS (after two throw-outs)
PLACE      SKIPPER                     POINTS   FIRSTs   DESIGN                              SAIL#
     1           Herb Dreher                      17             8         1950s Sunwind (HF)             96
     2           Stan Goodwin                   32             1         1960s Warrior II (HF)           2281
     3           Cliff Martin                       35             2         1960s Magic Dragon (HF)   1040
     4           Jim Linville                       49             1         1950s Riptide (HF)               1   
     5           Thom McLaughlin            56                        1960s Pentagoet (TR)           5
     6           Alain Jousse                      61                        1930s Cheerio II (TR)           049  
     7           John Storrow                     64                        1930s Madcap (TR               206 
     8           Rick Laird                         69             1         1930s Pocahontas (HF)         32
     9           Craig Speck                       74                        1950s Sunwind (HF)             214
     10         Jack Woods                       81                        1960s UK Design (HF)         948