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25 April 2005, 04:02 pm

PECKHAM And COATES Take Three Bullets

Bermuda International Invitational Race Week 2005

Hamilton, Bermuda

Giles PECKHAM (GBR) sailing in the IOD Class and Tom COATES (USA) in his J105 Masquerade both took three bullets as six classes, sixty-seven boats and some 230 sailors took to the waters in the first round of racing in the Bermuda International Invitational Race week sponsored by Bacardi.

COATES, out to make up for his second place finish in 2004, sailed his black J105 flawlessly and the crew were intensely focussed on the job at hand. In race three he fell back to fourth at one mark rounding but was able to work his way back for a one-boat lenght win over Bermuda rival Mark CLOUTIER's Addiction, the other all-black J-Boat.

In IOD action PECKHAM also took three bullets. Jonathan POPE (USA) is in second with twelve points and Jan PETTER ROED (NOR) stands third with 13 points with Bruce DYSON (USA) close behind with 14.

In the International Etchells Class, Bermuda Olympian and Star Class champion Peter BROMBY showed his style by taking an early lead in the Etchells eight-race series taking a 3-1 in the two races sailed Sunday. Tim LYNCH (USA) is second at 4-2 and Bermuda's Christian LUTHI is third with a 1-6.

Mike LEWIS of Bermuda is tied for the lead in the J-24 class with 1-3-3. American Anthony PARKER also has seven points with 3-2-2. Standing third is Bermuda's Todd OLSON.

On the dinghy course, the snipes had a practice race and raced only one that counted. Michael and Nina HAUGEN IRGENS (USA) are first, Canada's Gweneth COOK is second and Michael IRGENS and Monica IRGENS (USA) are third.

Top Bermuda Laser sailor, Brett WRIGHT leads the Laser Class with 2-2 over Bermuda dinghy champ Malcolm SMITH (1-4) by one point and Bruce SNELLING (GBR) is third with seven points at 6-1.