Press Section
Members of the press wishing additional background may contact Dave Burnham at awburnham@aol.com and 631-788-7644 (evenings) and 401-965-9472 (mobile).
Tight Scramble For Second After Farrar in IOD Worlds
SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 - The International One Design World Championships concluded today with a 7th and final race. Kevin Farrar of New London, representing the Fishers Island Yacht Club, clinched first place on Thursday. The competition for the other award positions was, however, intense among skippers from a wide geographical range.
Sailing brilliantly and leading all the way in today's race, Penny Simmons of Bermuda won 2nd place in the regatta. Finishing 2nd today, Bill Widnall of Marblehead, Mass. captured an an overall 3rd. Richard Pearce of San Francisco and John McNamara of Darien, Conn. earned 4th and 5th in the final standings. Coming all the way from Norway, Martin Rygh and crew came in 6th.
Although winds were on the lighter side, all contestants enjoyed the remarkable, autumn weather which prevailed all week in the New London area. An Awards Ceremony held this evening at the Fishers Island Country Club gave all present an opportunity to celebrate a very successful week.
Kevin Farrar of New London Wins IOD Worlds
SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 - Kevin Farrar, sailmaker from New London CT, has won the 2004 World Championship of the International One Design sailboat class. With a day of racing still to go,
Farrar mathematically clinches first place by winning 3 of the 6 races held this week, and attaining 2nd, 5th, and 9th in the others.
The competition for the next five places is wide open among Penny Simmons of Bermuda, Long Island sailor John McNamara, Martin Rygh of Norway, nine-time champion Bill Widnall from Marblehead MA, Richard Pearce from San Francisco, and defending champion Charlie Van Voorhis of Mattapoisset MA and Fishers Island.
Once again the16-boat fleet of 33-foot classic one design sailboats enjoyed perfect weather, the first race being in a light northerly and the afternoon race in a southerly. LIght to medium air prevailed throughout the day.
After five races are completed the scorer "throws out" each contestant's worst race. Thus Farrar's 9th in the sixth race today was not scored. Even if he came in last tomorrow and his closest opponent came in 1st, he cannot be beaten. His remarkable achievement automatically entitles him to sail in the 2005 World championships which will be held in Norway.
Farrar modestly gives all the credit to his crew of
Jennifer Mancusi-Ungaro, Thad Cook, Jim Hotchkiss and his son, Jonathan
Farrar.
Four Races Sailed, Farrar and Widnall Lead; Race 5 To Be Sailed Thursday
SEPTEMBER 22, 2004 - After two days and four races of competition,
the 16-boat IOD Worlds
fleet ran out of wind. Although Race 5 was started on Wednesday morning,
the wind was so light and changeable that the race committee abandoned
the race before any team reached the first rounding mark.
Race 5 is now scheduled for Thursday morning, with Race 6 to follow. The regatta leader, Kevin Farrar, of the Fishers Island fleet, maintains a 5-point lead over nine-time world champion Bill Widnall of Marblehead, Mass.
International Dogfight at 2004 IOD Worlds
SEPTEMBER 21, 2004 - New London Sailmaker Kevin Farrar, representing the Fishers Island Yacht Club, retained the lead in the International One Design (IOD) World Championship regatta with a 1st and a 5th and an accumulated score of 9 points after the second day of racing west of Fishers Island. He is closely followed by Bill Widnall of Marblehead who scored a 2 and a 1 today. Penny Simmons of Bermuda is in third place followed by Martin Rygh's Team from Norway. John McNamara from Long Island Sound and Rich Pearce of San Francisco are tied for 5th.
Beautiful weather prevailed for the second day in a row. A slowly dying northerly made for light air racing in the morning. The Race Committee waited nearly three hours for an afternoon southwester to come in with sufficient strength.
Both races were sailed over windward/leeward courses, three times around, with a distance of 1.5 miles between the marks.
One race is scheduled for Wednesday and two for Thursday for a total of 7. After the fifth race contestants will have a "throw out" so that their worst race will not be scored.
Farrar Takes Early Lead in 2004 IOD
Worlds
September 20, 2004 -Kevin Farrar of New London CT representing the Fishers
Island Yacht Club and Penny Simmons of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club have
taken the lead today in the International One Design (IOD) World Chamnpionships
being sailed just south of New London. The five-day event is hosted by
the Fishers Island Yacht Club.
Farrar finished 1st and 2nd in today's two races. Simmons holds second with a 6th and a 1st. Tied for third are John McNamara of Western Long Island Sound, Rick Pearce of San Francisco, and David McNeice from Nantucket MA. Crews from Norway, Scotland, Northeast Harbor ME and Marblehead MA are also in the 16 boat fleet.
Gorgeous weather prevailed with a fading and shifty northerly in the morning followed by a steady and buildng summer southwester in the afternoon.
The IOD is a 33' boat of classic design
with long overhangs and was designed in 1935 by Bjarne Aas of Norway.