Chippewa Dismasts Swift in Collision During Onion Patch

Swift 44' leading Oli-Oli 44', Canvasback 49', Ptarmigan 49' & Chippewa 68' into the windward mark. Chippewa may have rights over Ptarmingan, but not the other 3. But they are committed, and force their boat into a situation that they can't get out of. About 40' past the mark, Chippewa (9 knots)hits the stern of Swift (6.5 Knots), hooks the backstay on Swift, spins Swift around and takes out Swift's mast. Chippewa then procedes to then hit Oli-Oli doing some damage to the side of the boat. No damage to Chippewa. It helps to be the big boat in collisions.

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[aaatripp1]

The Protest Committee didn't have to rule on this one....as Chippewa withdrew from

the race, admitted fault and took care of the damages.

[Adrenaline552]

Ièm curious to know who the race commitee said was at fault?

[aaatripp1]

.......A quick hop up above the centerline and I could become a spectator, instead of an active participant....this I did...and rather smartly! C's bow rammed into our port quarter with the ease of a Chelsea housewife when they open the doors for Filene's big sale....WHAMMM!! So much for our stern pulpit, lifeline, MOB gear and rail......CRUNCH!!! (anyone read Batman?).

Well, so much for our excellent position in that race! I guess C's insurance co.

took care of the physical...(end of Pt 4)

[aaatripp1]

....looked back and watched as the bow (....and the rest of the boat) surged forward and smacked Swift's transom, then riding up to catch the fixed backstay, spin her around approx. 160deg. counter-clockwise and dismasting her in the process (NOTE: mstrsail's description is spot ON!). As Swift rotated C's bow slid off the transom (like the shark in JAWS) and I did a quick intercept calculation to figure out that C's next point of contact would be about where I was sitting! (end of Part 3)

[aaatripp1]

......as we rounded the mark. USNA11 Swift was tacking inside of us near the mark (remember, this is before the rules change) and outside the zone. We stayed wide to keep clear of her. As we rounded the mark to weather of Swift I eased the sheet for our quick reach down the short offset leg and was surprised to hear the hail by a woman on the foredeck of Chippewa "Get out of the way!" Odd....I don't remember that as a routine hail in 40+ years of yacht racing. Our crew.....(end of Pt. 2)

[aaatripp1]

Just came from the Navy marina in Newport and saw Swift & Flirt (Navy 44s) being readied, along with USNA big boat Invictus, for the start of the biennial Newport to Bermuda Race (1st class starts off Castle Hill 2pm Friday afternoon). Seeing Swift brought back memories of watching her dismasting at the weather mark of an Onion Patch Race in Newport years ago. I was the port trimmer on a Swan 44 OLI OLI and was down at the leeward primary winch preparing to ease the genny sheet (end of Part I)

[00Billy]

it looks like the bowsprit /bow caught the backstay (running?)of the smaller boat.

[a6km]

yeah fucking asshole

[bigkiwial]

Looks like the asshole in the big boat just diddnt give a flying fuck!!

[bluewaterny]

now thats a foul