THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510260214
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 34 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: COLINGTON HARBOUR LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
The smallest sailboat in the fastest class, a skipper who overcame a broken mast and a 27-year-old vessel that had never won a race captured championships in the annual Kelly's Kup Regatta.
The Class A title went to Tom Whitaker of Kitty Hawk, who pulled away from his bigger challengers on the last leg in his 23-foot Beneteau, Sea Dreams.
Whitaker, in his first season with Sea Dreams and the Albemarle Sound Rookie Skipper of the Year, won handily Oct. 22, five minutes in front of his nearest rival.
Class B honors were claimed by Ronald L. Speer of Manteo in his 24-foot Morgan, Wind Gypsy, that was built in 1968 but never before finished first. Neither had the 62-year-old skipper.
The Wind Gypsy's elapsed time was bested only by the Class A winner in a day of lightbreezes that favored smaller vessels.
Boats with a handicap rating of 213 and below competed for Class A honors. Boats with slower ratings were in Class B.
The small-boat title, decided in blustery winds Saturday, was taken by Shawn Murphy of Kill Devil Hills in a Lido. The boat's mast snapped in a gust during the race, but Murphy jury-rigged it and won the cup.
Trophies were presented at an awards party at Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern, which for years has sponsored the annual fall races, open to anyone.
Second in Class A went to Mike Robinson of Kill Devil Hills in his 28-foot Pearson, Hot Flash. Murphy was third in his 30-foot Hunter, SeaBird.
Runner-up in Class B was John Chambard of Cary in his 22-foot Gulf Coast, Uno. Third went to George Kendall of Kill Devil Hills in his 29-foot Alberg, Liberty Call.
Kendall was also second in the small-boat division. Third went to Ian Falkenberg of Kill Devil Hills. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by RONALD L. SPEER
A light, shifting breeze ripples the Albemarle Sound as sailboats
compete in the Kelly's Kup race on Oct. 22.
by CNB