The Hotchkiss School won the 2014 NESSA Fleet Racing Championship (O'Day Trophy) for its third championship in four years beating out St George's School by 6 pts. Both Hotchkiss and St George's along with Portsmouth Abbey and Tabor Academy qualified for Nationals
The Sunday of racing on the Thames River began with a puffy Northerly and hopeful high school sailors hit the water at 10:00. As the morning progressed the wind gradually tapered off as the out-flowing current increased. Current management became the theme of the morning before a mid-regatta lunch break after 4A and 4B. After lunch, the majority of a seamless set was sailed before the breeze began to become uncertain. Low cumulonimbus clouds added depth before a bluebird background and brought consistent breeze when they massed above the course. The current remained prevalent as the final set began around 2:00 pm. Large holes on the race course and a 3:00 pm start deadline coupled to end the regatta after seven races sailed in each division.
Congratulations to The Hotchkiss School for winning the regatta.
For complete regatta results
Regatta Photos by Cate Brown