Local sailors take 2nd place in big boat regatta

(CISC): PowerPlay skippered by Cayman Islands Sailing Club member, Peter Cunningham finished the 47th annual Rolex Big Boat Series regatta in San Franciscoin 2nd place in the IRC A Division. The regatta, a major event on the racing circuit and attracting America’s Cup veterans, was hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club from September 8 to 11, 2011. Racing in the IRC A Division and flying the Cayman Islands flag, PowerPlay was in fierce competition throughout the week with the other boats in its class, including the eventual winner, Vesper. (Photos Jane Moon)

Days 2 and 3 of racing proved to be some of the more memorable and physical days of racing, taking place in 20-25 knot winds consistently gusting to 30 knots.

The final day of racing brought sunshine and a single ‘Bay Tour’ distance race for all classes as well as a 9/11 tribute boat parade and canon salute before racing.

Commenting on the ‘Bay Tour’, Peter Cunningham said, “This has been more fun than other races. It was so close for us with Mayhem and the others, and these 52s make the Bay look small”. The class sailed 30 milesand Cunningham said there were some “interesting choices” on where to go. “We were first toBlossom Rock when the wind totally died with a 2-3 knot current and the whole fleet condensed,” said Cunningham. “We were ahead of Vesper and Mayhem, and I had déjà vu all over again: if you get caught in that current…it was classic San Francisco, everything can change so easily.”

PowerPlay Racing was founded earlier this year by Peter Cunningham. It has an international world-class crew, and sails PowerPlay, a TP52 sailboat.The boat has been admirably representing the Cayman Islands in regattas on the East and West Coast of the US. Powerplay finished 2nd in class in the New York Yacht Club cup, 3rd in Block Island Race Week and won the Alex Alessio regatta in San Francisco.

Cayman sailors in the crew have included the Commodore of the Cayman Islands Sailing Club, Andrew Moon, and fellow sailors: David Carmichael, Matt Diaz, Simon Farrington and Tomeaka McTaggart.

PowerPlay Racing has had an exciting schedule of regattas in 2011, mostly in the US and the Caribbean, and is focused on competing in Europe in 2012.

PowerPlay Racing's next events will be the Great Pumpkin Regatta in San Francisco (Oct. 29-30), the Wirth Monroe Race to Palm Beach in Florida (Dec. 2-4), and Key West Race Week in Florida (Jan. 16-20). For more information, photos, and to keep up to date with the team, please go to www.powerplay.ky.