Race Results -

December 10, 2006

Wind swept the lagoon on Saturday afternoon, the running of the first Mieco Beach Yacht Club race of the 2006-07 season, so it was fitting that the first boat home over the finish line and first place on handicap was the super-fast trimaran Windswept, skippered by Richard Barrie.

Five yachts headed away from their mooring at about noon under gloriously sunny skies. This proved to be a con on behalf of Mrs Wanda Weather, and the squalls started flowing over the yachts at about the half way point.

Just 49 seconds behind Windswept on handicap was the yacht Seal, skippered by Cary Evarts.
Third place was won by the ketch Karmaladen, which first visited the Marshalls in 2001. It was a poignant day out on the water for Rixzene Ayers, who has visited many of RMI's atolls over the last five years, as she recently sold her yacht to Robert Antia and his family.

Fourth place in the race was taken out by the yacht Suka, skippered by Doug Burnsworth, while the yacht Celtic Avenger, skippered by Neils Henningsen, was forced to start the motor after the 10-minute gun, so was disqualified.

All the yachts were crewed by teachers from Coop School, WorldTeach, and Dartmouth, with many bringing their experience from the recent 'Learn to Sail' day.

Following the race, the skippers and their crew met at the clubhouse (a.k.a. Marshall Islands Resort) for the awards ceremony, with much fun being had by all, despite the lack of a kitchen.

The next yacht race will be held on Sunday, January 14, with the skippers' meeting at the Marshall Islands Resort on Friday, January 12.

Captions: (please click on link to open picture)

1. The yacht Karmaladen with full sail up in the first race of the 06-07 season.

2. Winning yacht Windswept races across Majuro lagoon.

Author:  Karen Earnshaw