2014 Nort Americans @Sail NC: Practice Race

Press Release: "Moon Bucks superstition to take practice race for North American Championship"
50-Strong A-Cat Fleet Readies For North Carolina Sun and Fun

The Outer Banks provided moderate breeze, hot weather, and tricky wind shifts during today’s practice race for the A-Class Catamaran North American Championship in Croatan Sound on the North Carolina coast, with Australian/American Ben Moon taking the win after a four leg, 5 mile race. Moon benefited by US Class President Bailey White sailing the wrong side of the finish boat and race leader Bruce Mahoney choosing to avoid the bad luck associated with winning practice races.

White had a few unexpected turns today. “Instead of getting out at 11 AM for a nice training session in preparation for the 1 PM practice race, I ended up on the beach all morning helping friends with their boats and didn’t get to the line until about 12:50,” said White, who didn’t suffer from the lack of time on the water, reaching the finish ahead of the 22-boats who came out for practice.

Regardless of the well-known sailors’ superstition, Moon didn’t mind taking line honors at all. “I don’t agree with any of those superstitions,” Said Moon. “Winning any race is good luck to me.”
The fact that Moon is sailing Mahoney’s second boat made their battle during most of the race especially interesting. “I would’ve been a lot faster if Ben wasn’t tacking on me all day in my boat!” said Mahoney with a grin. Moon said he’d probably go easier on Mahoney during the actual championship. “It was awesome for Bruce to lend me this boat with my new boat on order, and I was maybe a little hard on him out there,” he said. “I think I’ll be a bit more respectful starting tomorrow, that is, if I can keep up with him!”

Bob Peele, President of Event Organizer SailNC, said the A-Class Catamaran fleet is the perfect fit for sailing in the Outer Banks. “Like the North Carolina coastline, A-Cats combine the cutting edge of high-performance sailing with a robust and colorful history,” Peele explained. “The area’s maritime heritage is one of America’s richest and we’re immensely proud of our boatbuilding heritage, and we also have some of the most innovative boatbuilders in the world right here – companies like Gunboat, whose President is sailing in the A-Cat Fleet this week.”
Racing for the North American Championship begins tomorrow at 1 PM Eastern Time, with three races planned in breeze from 8 knots building into the mid-teens.
All pictures and video © Ocean Images.

CLICK on our video for the practice race of the ISAF A-Class North American Championship 2014 https://vimeo.com/97889118

Image Gallery https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.302055259956150.1073741833.21…

Results of Practice Race
1. AUS 11, DNA, Ben Moon , St Petersburg, FL, USA, 1; 1
2. Bas Clas, DNA, Bob Hodges , Covington, LA, USA, 2; 2
3. Woodscraft, A Class , Larry Woods , Norval, Ont, CAN, 3; 3
4. USA 31, O, Jeremy Herrin , Sarasota, FL, USA, 4; 4
5. GUNBOAT, DNA A-CLASS, Peter Johnstone , Manteo, NC, USA, 5; 5