Stars and Thunderbirds Don't Mix

October 2005

There must be something about the Corinthian Yacht Club One Design Regatta. During last years regatta in the very first race we had a Thunderbird t-bone another Thunderbird around the same time a J 24 capsized and sunk.  For one Thunderbird in particular, this years regatta was no less traumatic.  I will let Kemp Jones tell the story in his own words;

We had a great crew, Derek had liberated Hussy's genoa, and the bottom was scrubbed for the CWB regatta. The boat felt really fast. We were on Starboard. Suzy had just called 50 seconds and we were about 80 yards from the line with  good speed. Water Torture and Falcon were down wind on the line and Selchie was late and barging. Everything seemed perfect, then Courtney who was on the lee side trimming, lets out this STARBOARD scream that I knew meant trouble. A second later I see that hammerhead bow of a Star stick us and break off and pirouette away. Every one was fine on both boats. We did some damage control. We'd have duck taped her up and raced, but the
chainplate was seperated from the hull so the deck was taking the strain and that started to buckle up when we loaded the rig on port. Needless to say, that was it for racing.

So let this be a lesson for all of you racers.  Be very careful if you plan on racing in the CYC One design regatta and always stay away from the Stars!  Results for the Regatta and Pictures.