Local skipper holds off Olympian Paula Lewin in competitive series
John Hele, David Leach, and American skipper Doug Newhouse secured championship honours across three competitive fleets as the Bermuda Keelboat Regatta drew to a close in the Great Sound.
Staged in brisk autumn breezes on the waters off Hamilton, the multi-class regatta delivered sharp tactical racing across the Etchells, RS21, and FarEast28R divisions.
In the Etchells fleet, Hele steered Renegade to a commanding series triumph, demonstrating relentless front-running form across all six races.
Hele logged three race wins alongside three runner-up finishes to close out the regatta with an unbeatable net score of 9.0 points.
Olympian Paula Lewin mounted a spirited challenge aboard Trash to claim second place on 12.0 points, while Paul Wright helmed Tiburon to third on 21.0 points, edging out Aiden Young (Renegade 2) on countback.
Tyler Simmons guided Critter to fifth with 37.0 points, ahead of Cameron de St Croix aboard Avalanche on 42.0.
The RS21 fleet saw David Leach assert his authority over a compact three-race schedule, opening with back-to-back victories before sealing overall honours with third in race three to finish on 5.0 points.
Sebastian Round took the win in the final race to claim second overall on 7.0 points, narrowly ahead of Patrick Cooper in third on 8.0, with Richard Neame finishing fourth on 11.0.
In the FarEast28R class, visiting American skipper Doug Newhouse delivered a masterclass aboard his Imperial Poona Yacht Club entry.
Dominating the nine-race slate, Newhouse chalked up seven victories and a second-place finish to seal a runaway victory with 9.0 net points.
Canada’s Andrew McCrae took second for Oakville Yacht Squadron on 16.0 points, while Bermuda’s Somers Kempe was the top local finisher in third aboard his Royal Bermuda Yacht Club entry on 24.0.
Great Britain’s David Maclean followed in fourth on 26.0 points, with Bermudians Kelsey Durham and Hal Kempe tied on 44.0 points in fifth and sixth, and American Lance Ryley finishing seventh on 45.0.
