HARDESTY WINS CMRC SEPTEMBER "A" REGATTA
9/19/2009

And Live internet coverage of “B” Regatta starts today

CHICAGO, September 19, 2009 – After an undefeated effort in the Round Robin and Quarter Finals in Day One, former Match Race and Etchells class World Champion Bill Hardesty continued his winning streak to win the Chicago Match Race Center’s (CMRC) September “A” Regatta. Assisted by his team of Dave Gerber, Matt Cassidy, and Jen Wilson, Hardesty had an impressive 14-0 record, and wins valuable ISAF Grade 3 points on the World Match Race Ranking List. “We had lots of time sailing together as a team, so we were having a great time,” said Hardesty, who hails from San Diego but has been spending a lot of time in Chicago as Director of CMRC. “Matt and Gerb and I sail together on a Farr 40 and have had at least 50 days on the water this year, and Jen was with me in the Etchells at least 50 days last year. It’s a pleasure to sail with them, we are all good friends.”

The efficiency of the race management team led by Bill Canfield as PRO and Steve Wrigley as Chief Umpire allowed for all teams to sail today despite a brief morning delay awaiting breeze. The top four from Day One competed in a first-to-three point Semi-Final round, followed by a first-to-three point Final, and the bottom four competed in a first-to-two point Consolation round – in this Hans Pusch defeated Chris Wurtz, and Alan Johnson defeated Kristen Lane. By winning his match, Pusch redeemed himself from a weak start to the event. “We did much better today,” he said afterwards, “but its a little strange how match racing works because I only won 2 races but finish 5