Day 1 of the 2023 Western Hemisphere Championship

Day one of the regatta started off with a great call by the PRO to postpone on land as conditions were less than desirable with little to no breeze on the lake. As expected, the afternoon conditions changed with a light breeze maintaining 5-10 knots with a rough wind direction of 240 Degree NNW. RC sent the fleet out for a 1:00 first warning.  Spectators gathered on shore and land to witness the fleet parade down the Rocky River and out to the racecourse – rekindling fond memories of the Star Fleet's long legacy at Cleveland Yachting Club. This being the first major Star Championship in over 20 years hosted at CYC – you can feel the excitement at the club and in the local fleet.

Race 1 was a windward-leeward and lasted roughly 1 hour and 42 minutes with the wind direction 340. The start appeared to be competitive and the fleet split east and west. Ultimately it appeared that those who headed east made out better as the fleet headed to the first turn. Downwind was slow today and many competitors resorted to sailing hot angles to maintain speed working downwind. The RC signaled for a change of course for the second windward and the fleet was off to a new mark. Some excitingly close photo finishes in the 2-5th places with McCausland clear ahead in 1st.
 
Top 5 for finish #1:

USA8448 - McCausland/Sangmeister
USA8509  - Diaz/Prada
USA8481 - Dieball/Avellon
USA 8520 - Mason/Wright
USA 8460 - Mylett/Brej
 
Race 2 was quick to follow starting at 3:07 PM. The wind started to trend more and more northerly and flirting to a NE wind. Velocity of 5-10 with mostly flat water was consistent in race two. The best of this race were Augie Diaz and Bruno Prada.

Top 5 for finish #2:

USA8509  - Diaz/Prada
USA7515 - Adams/Hardt
USA8000 - Anosov/Caesar
USA8448 - McCausland/Sangmeister
USA8084 - Teitge/Milne

Two more races are scheduled for day 2, September 12th, and so on until Thursday the 14th when the 2023 Star Western Hemisphere will finish in Cleveland, OH.