Struntje Light hangs on to lead while Barking Mad, Enfant Terrible make moves

Miami Beach, Florida, USA: A three-race day at the Miami Beach Invitational shuffled the fleet like a deck of cards. Struntje Light maintained its lead for the third straight day, but Barking Mad and Enfant Terrible made major moves on Friday as the overall standings scrambled like eggs.

It was a big afternoon for Barking Mad, which stood fifth in the seven-boat fleet after two days of action. Skipper Jim Richardson won the first race then followed with a second and fourth to move up to third overall with 29 points.

"We talked about this being a crucial day of racing and that it was important to put up some strong results," Richardson said. "Our goal was to get close to the lead and give ourselves a chance to win on the last day. It appears that we succeeded."

Barking Mad captured class honors at Quantum Key West 2013 in January, but found itself in an unusual position after the opening day of racing here in Miami - last place. Richardson's crew picked up two places on Thursday then really hits its stride on Friday.

Struntje Light maintains lead after another intense day of racing off South Beach

MIAMI BEACH - Bill Hardesty was amazed by what he saw during Thursday's action at the Miami Beach Invitational Regatta. Just after the fleet of Farr 40s rounded the first weather mark during Race 5, Hardesty looked around and it appeared all seven boats were dead even.

"All seven boats were lined up in a row. It literally looked like a seven-way tie," said Hardesty, tactician aboard Flash Gordon 6. "This fleet is amazingly tight. If you make even the slightest error, you're going to the back of the pack."

Wolfgang Schaefer, owner-driver of overall leader Struntje Light, discovered that reality in Race 5. Struntje Light was in second place coming into the leeward mark and thought the boat ahead was going to round the left gate. So Schaefer took his boat to the right gate, only to realize when it was too late that the competition changed its mind.

"We got kicked out and had to make a circle and of course after that we were in last place," Schaefer said.

Struntje Light wins two races to take early lead at Miami Beach Invitational

Struntje Light. Photo by Sara Proctor, sailfastphotography.com. Click to enlarge

MIAMI BEACH - Farr 40 owners from around the world came to Miami for the sunny skies, warm weather and consistent breeze. South Beach delivered on all counts as 70-degree temperatures and 12-18 knot winds welcomed the fleet for the Miami Beach Invitational.

Principal race officer Peter "Luigi" Reggio used the north course that is located just off South Beach for Wednesday's action. In typical Farr 40 fashion, the mark roundings were tremendously tight as the seven boats completed a four-legged course that featured downwind finishes.

"It was typical South Beach conditions, just absolutely glamorous," said Geoff Stagg, Farr 40 class manager. "We got in three terrific races and there was not a single complaint from the sailors and owners. It really was a magnificent day of sailboat racing."