There was another close finish to the Atlantic Nationals this year, when Steve Benjamin in Cassidy and Dave Peck in Miss April ended up tied on points, Benj taking the title through a tiebreaker. Dave’s brother Norm Peck III was third in Nonesuch, just one point behind.
The event at Madison Beach Club was blessed with three days of 10-12 knot winds making for good, fair racing, although on the second day the fleet had to wait all morning until the breeze appeared. Seasoned race officer Peter Reggio made smart decisions throughout, and on the last day he managed three races to complete the series.
Things looked good for Scott Reichhelm in Shucks after the first day, when he took a first and a second. But a couple of middling results the next day allowed Benj and the Pecks to catch up. The racing was close throughout, with constant place-changing among the first few boats.
When it came to the last race, Peck had a one point advantage, so Benj, with his all-pro crew of Chris Larson, Brooks Daley and Jonny Goldsberry needed to win the last race. And that’s what they did. It was Steve Benjamin’s fourth Atlantic Nationals win as skipper.
Photos by Gary Price
Drone videos by Gordon Henderson: day 1, day 2