Matt Burridge Repeats as Lightning
Class North American Champion
by Clarke Newman
August 19, 2006The 2006 International
Lightning Class North American Championships were completed
yesterday at Mission Bay Yacht Club in San Diego, California.
Allan Terhune was leading after five of six races, but defending
champion Matt Burridge, had the advantage with the better throw out.
Sailed in westerly breezes of ten knots, the Championship Fleet and
President's Cup Fleet made relatively quick work of the five-leg
course.
Having already sailed his throw out race, Burridge overcame a very
conservative start to finish fourth and secure his second
consecutive championship. Sailing with his long time crew, Dan
and Tobi Moriarty, Burridge proved to be very fast and very smart in
the changing and challenging conditions. Burridge was followed
in the standings by Terhune, Jeff Linton, David Starck and Larry
MacDonald.
In the President's Cup Fleet, Nick Farina and his
crew, Ashley Jerman and Mike Ledger finished fourth in the final
race to win by three points over Terry Burke, followed by Joel
Humphrey, William Hofmeister, and Tom Allen Sr. The final race
was back to the hoists, where seventy-one boats hauled out quickly
to get ready for the fantastic "Luau on the Beach" that capped a
great event hosted by great people at a great club with perfect
weather. This regatta showcases what the Lightning Class is
all about. It is about family first and world-class racing
second. Everyone is looking forward to the 2007 Championship's
in Annapolis, Maryland.
