Press Release #2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2005


Harris and James Lead ECCs After Day 1


Annapolis, Maryland. – Skipper Barney Harris and crew Clayton James sailed consistently during the first day of the Fawcett Boat Supplies 2005 International 505 East Coast Championship and lead after three races. The Florida-based team posted two seconds and a bullet but only have a two-point lead over second place team of Ethan Bixby and Erik Boothe, who had two firsts and a fifth. Four more races are scheduled over the next two days in the seven race championship series.

Following today’s racing, the 505 sailors enjoyed hot Feed Your Crew chili and cold beer in the SSA clubhouse to hand out the Daily Bullet Awards (custom embroidered folding chairs) and a number of Door Prizes (spinnaker pole forks from Angliss Boats and DVD movies of the 505 2005 Worlds in Germany). As usual, a debrief for all participants ensued, with seasoned veterans and newbies exchanging thoughts and observations. In response to a first-time 505 sailor’s question about mast rake in light air, Barney Harris said, “Sure, you might still feel fast [with some rake instead of being fully upright for max power], but hey, it’s a 505, and you always feel fast in a 505.”

Sailors later enjoyed Friday night’s onshore social activity – a seven-stop “Bargatta” (Bar Hop) – and are eagerly awaiting Saturday night’s Regatta Dinner and Halloween Costume Party to be held upstairs in the SSA clubhouse. Many enjoyed sipping the excellent local Maryland brews, surprising bouncers with how old they really are, and meeting the Annapolis locals who proclaimed, “We’re bar-hopping groupies.” Much hilarity ensued, to say the least.

Thirty-three teams are participating in this year’s event, with sailors traveling to Annapolis from as far away as San Diego, Ottawa Canada, Florida, Ohio, and New England. They were rewarded today with a crisp 7-10 knot breeze and sunshine. Saturday’s forecast is for even more breeze and a slightly higher temperature; hopefully the Bay should see plenty of wire-running and big grins.

The top 5 in the standings are as follows:
1. Barney Harris – 1 2 2 (5 points)
2. Ethan Bixby – 5 1 1 (7)
3. Tim Collins – 3 3 3 (9)
4. Jeff Boyd – 4 5 4 (13)
5. Macy Nelson – 2 9 5 (16)

In addition to Fawcett Boat Supplies, the ECC is pleased to have three other sponsors onboard: Ronstan, New England Ropes, and Angliss Boats. Each is providing prizes to competitors and is excited to be part of this awesome regatta. Regatta t-shirts and beer can huggies feature the slick Halloween-themed regatta logo.

The schedule, NoR, and the News / Blog are all available at http://www.int505.org/fleet19/events/200510ECC/ . Questions should be directed to Bob Patterson (Fleet 19 Fleet Captain), at robert_beach@comcast.net.

The International 505 is a high performance two person dinghy with a spinnaker and a trapeze. It is raced in over 20 countries by Olympians, sailing world champions, club sailors, men and women, juniors and seniors. For further information on the 505 class, see http://www.int505.org/

For further information on Severn Sailing Association, see http://www.severnsailing.org/

For further information on Fawcett Boat Supplies, see http://www.fawcettboat.com/

For further information on Ronstan, see http://www.ronstan.com/

For further information on New England Ropes, see http://www.newenglandropes.com/

For further information on Angliss Boats, see http://www.anglissboats.com/

-Mike Renda, Press Officer