Alex Abate/Marcus Abate racing at the 2015 420 Junior Europeans © Viktor Nalbantov
2016 North Americans feature strong 35 boat 420 line-up
Brothers Alex Abate/Marcus Abate from Lakewood Yacht Club took victory in a 35 boat 420 fleet at the 2016 420 North American Championships.
The 6 race series wrapped up on Sunday at Coconut Grove Sailing Club after a close battle between the frontrunners. The Abate partnership opened their series confidently with a second place, but lost their mojo in race 2 to score a 24th place finish, allowing their series rivals Henry Burnes/Peter Barron to sail through and claim the lead. A strong upgrade from their 6th overall at last year's 420 North Americans.
Behind the leading two teams, Shawn Harvey/James Westerberg were trying to see off a strong challenge for third place by Kathryn Hall/Ashton Borcherding. Close as close can be, their final leaderboard positions were decided on tiebreak, with third going to Harvey/Westerberg. Hall/ Borcherding finished in 4th and as the top placed girls team.
Wiley Rogers/Jack Parkin, the dominant force in 420 sailing in the USA throughout 2015 did not feature in the 420 line-up, having shifted their sights to the 470 Class. Facing an impressive line-up of seasoned 470 teams, the pair went into the final race just outside a top ten overall, but upgraded themselves to 9th from a second place result in the final race 6.
Coming up next on the 420 racing programme in the USA are the 2016 420 US Gulf Coast Championships, 30-31 January and 2016 420 US Mid-Winters Championships, 5-6 March - see all the events on the USA 420 Class Association microsite.
