Eclipse Pulls Out Miracle to Take 3rd Block Island Victory

Damian Emery sailed a near perfect day to advance to the podium and take the East Coast Championship away from loulou by 1 point. The first race had loulou in front until the second upwind when Eclipse got the pass with loulou attempting to cover both sides and coming up short of both Eclipse and Arbitrage for a third. The start of the last race had loulou struggling at the boat and forced to the right with Eclipse in the middle. A new wind developed out of the left side and left both boats back in the pack with Eclipse closer to the top and loulou, the bottom. Both boats advance but it would not be enough for loulou, with Eclipse finishing right behind Mark Lindquist’s Sterling and loulou several boats back falling to second. This is Damian’s third victory in a row at the biannual event. In third was Class President Bruce Stone and followed by Bermuda’s Distant Passion. (Photo Credit: Aliki Navajas)