Local crew excels at prestigious regatta

Sat, May 10, 2008    to del.icio.us

GRAND HAVEN — With a crew made up of sailors from Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Muskegon and Holland, the S2 7.9-meter yacht Robyn took second place in the Sperry-Topsider National Offshore One Design Regatta held last weekend on the Chesapeake Bay.

The event was also the East Coast Championship for the 25-foot S2 7.9's, which were built in Holland by Tiara Yachts.

"The series was one of the most challenging ever with tricky tides, light winds and very tough competition," said skipper Doug Frye of Grand Haven.

"The top four boats were never far apart in the eight-race series, with the lead changing back and forth as the days went on."

Spring Lake's Joe Rotunda, tactician on Robyn, was amazed that the boat could take three first-place finishes in a row and still finish second.

The winning boat was John Spierling's Rebel from Shelby Township. Third place was Rooster Tail from Port Charlotte, Fla.

The Robyn crew was comprised of, Frye (skipper) of Grand Haven, Dan Sullivan (main trimmer) of Holland, Rotunda (tactician, jib trimmer) of Spring Lake, Dan Kleymeer (pit) of Grand Haven, and Brad Krog (bow man) of Muskegon.