Wolfgan Schaefer’s
Struntje light (bow 15) won the first race of the day. Image copyright Rolex/Daniel Forster
by Jan Harley
As temperatures in Southern California soared to record highs, the 19-strong fleet competing in the 2014 Rolex Farr 40 North Americans took to the Pacific Ocean for three races on day two of the championship series. The competitors had been postponed ashore while the breeze worked into race-worthy condition, but by 1230 racing was underway through the flawless teamwork of the Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC) Race Committee led by John Busch.
“We
had three nice starts, and that helps a lot,” said Germany’s Wolfgang
Schaefer on the docks after racing. In the first race of the day
Schaefer’s
Struntje light led the fleet at the second mark and kept that
position to cross the line first, ahead of Annapolis’ Kevin McNeil at
the helm of Nightshift and Chicago’s Helmut Jahn and his team on
Flash Gordon 6.
“We
are probably one of the crew with the most miles on our flight tickets
to come here, because eight of 10 [of the crew] came from Europe,”
continued Schaefer. “That means the investment –
time-wise, commitment-wise – for us is very high. But, we all agree
that this investment was fantastic.”
Schaefer
has been in the class since 2000 and currently serves as its
vice-president, while also serving as vice-president of the ORC
(Offshore Racing Congress), giving him unique perspective
on the sport. “I must say the Farr 40 class is extremely good. The
boat is good. The guys that are sailing with these boats are some of
the best in the world. And I know from my country the guys are looking
to the Farr 40. The reason is the boat is good,
but the key point is the class is fantastic. The owners are absolutely
great and the leadership in the class is good, and I can say that
because I am not the President. The class holds up perfect: we have
restricted sails and restricted professionals, and
most of all we have the owner-driver rule.”
Alex Roepers (second from right) on PLENTY. Image copyright Rolex/Daniel Forster
New
York’s Alex Roepers, who has been racing the Farr 40 since 2007 had
started the day leading the overall standings, only to finish ninth in
the first race of the day. For the subsequent two
races, however, the fleet’s view of PLENTY was primarily of her
transom.
“We’re
winning more races,” said Roepers when asked about the season thus
far. “Obviously with Terry [Hutchinson] we’ve stepped it up a bit, and
we’ve also grown in experience, I think. Better
boat, better sails and the crew we try to improve all the time and I
think Terry as tactician helps a lot. When Terry came onboard I gave
him free reign on the crew. I’ve known Terry for 17 years. I know his
style, and he knows my style, and he and I clicked
right away.”
Roepers
allowed that his style is disciplined and very focused. “No gibberish
on the boat; just really doing our jobs. I stick to what I need to do
which is drive the boat fast, and I delegate
full responsibility for the boat to him. What he demands from people
on the boat is strong, and I encourage that. He does it in a way where
he is respected but still tough. I like that kind of program. It works
for me.”
Roepers
continues to hold the lead in the overall standings with 19 points
after six races. By adding two second-place finishes to his win of the
day’s first race, Schaefer moved from fourth
to second overall, trailing Roepers by just two points. Chicago’s
Helmut Jahn on Flash Gordon 6, the 2012 Rolex Farr 40 World Champion,
retains third overall with 25 points after finishes of 4-7-2 in today’s
races. 2013 Rolex Farr 40 World Champion Alberto
Rossi, on the Italian-flagged Enfant Terrible, dropped from second
overall to fourth with finishes of 6-3-11 and is tied on points (32)
with Annapolis’ Kevin McNeil, on Nightshift, who posted finishes of
2-4-9 today.
Action at the Rolex Farr 40 North Americans continues Friday, May 16, and concludes Saturday, May 17, from Long Beach Yacht Club.
