Outdoors

America's Cup champion reigns in regatta at Pier

By DAVE ELLIS
Published February 21, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - John Bertrand, a former Olympian who made America's Cup history, captained Fusion M to a victory in the Melges 24 class Sunday, the largest class in the three-day National Offshore One Design Regatta.

Bertrand, living in Annapolis, Md., skippered Australia past Dennis Connor in the 1983 America's Cup, ending the United States' 132-year hold of the Cup.

He also won a bronze medal in the Finn class of the 1976 Olympics.

In seven races, Bertrand and his crew finished no worse than third against 44 other boats while finishing first four times.

He is the first qualifier for a sailoff among the nine NOOD regatta winners to be held in January in Antigua. Winners of events in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New York, San Diego, Annapolis and Toronto also will qualify.

Sarasota sailmaker Doug Fisher finished strong, earning two victories, a second and fourth during the final four races to finish second. St. Petersburg's Martin Kullman, whose best finish was second in the final race, was third overall.

Tampa Bay off the Pier was crowded with 221 boats competing in 21 divisions.

Ten titles went to sailors from Florida. There were 23 states represented plus Canada and the United Kingdom.

Tim Snow of St. Pete Beach won the SR Max class. Josh Wilus of St. Petersburg was second and Charlie Clifton of Sarasota third on the 21-footers.

Steve and Dee Olinger of St. Petersburg won on the larger J105 Shoal Draft class. St. Petersburg's Ethan Bixby topped the J-29.

The J-24, with 28 boats, was the second-largest class. Jacksonville's Peter Bream took first. Robby Brown of St. Petersburg was second.

The Sonar fleet included skippers and crew who qualify for the Paralympics. One nondisabled crew member was included because spinnakers were used in this open regatta. John Robertson, a Paralympic contender from Sunderland, England, won.

St. Petersburg's Jennifer French won the final three races to finish second overall. French is training for the Disabled Midwinter Championship scheduled for April in St. Petersburg. A U.S. team slot will be up for grabs.

In the two multihull classes, the Corsair-28 and Corsair-24, Richard Carlson of Clearwater was the top area finisher, third in the Corsair 24.

[Last modified February 21, 2005, 01:33:09]