Maryland Sailor Steve Phillips Steers Le Renard to Victory

Over four days of competition in poster-perfect sailing conditions, Phillips turned in single-digit finishes in all but one of ten races, which proved the key to his success.

“It was our strategy to stay in the top ten in every race,” said Phillips, “because the teams here are tremendous and it’s very competitive. We took a 17th in the first race, but after that we sailed consistently and we stayed out of trouble.”

Phillips, the current Farr 40 East Coast champion, credited his tactician Mark Reynolds, a three-time Olympic medallist from San Diego, with keeping everyone on track to victory. “I’d hate to play poker with the guy, he stays so cool,” said Phillips. “He doesn’t let us get in difficult situations.”

Phillips finished with 61 points overall and a 22-point lead over second-place finisher Groovederci, skippered by the regatta’s only woman skipper Deneen Demourkas (USA). Groovederci and would-be third-place finisher Crocodile Rock, skippered by Scott Harris of (USA), were over early in today’s second race, and in their battle back to earn respectable positions encountered problems at a congested mark.

Both boats were protested by Italy’s Nerone, with Crocodile Rock losing the battle in the jury room to fall from third to fifth. As a result, Samba Pa Ti, skippered by John Kilroy (USA), moved up to third, with Nerone, skippered by Antonio Migliori (ITA) gaining a position as well and finishing fourth.

Top Ten Overall (After 10 Races)