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Peterson wins US Nationals |
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| 07-27-2009 - Peterson wins US Nationals |
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| Sailworks designer Bruce Peterson dominated the 2009 USWA National championships winning the overall title in both Slalom and Formula racing disciplines. |
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Hood River delivers excellent wind conditions for the 2009 USWA National championships. Eighty-three competitors were registered and the regatta opened with epic, 30-40+ knot Gorge slalom conditions that challenge the fleet for board and sail control.
"These are my kind of conditions", said Peterson after taking straight bullets in all six of Thursday's slalom rounds. Peterson, 46, racing in the Grand Masters division, used a NX 5.4 Slalom sail for all of Thursday's windy action. "The 5.4 is wicked fast and super rangy too."
Slalom action continued on Friday too with the Gorge winds still pumping in at 22-28 knots and five more rounds of slalom on deck. "I ran the NX 7.1 in the first three races and had speed on the fleet for three more bullets. Later in the day I switched up to the NX 8.2, which proved unnecessary as the wind lull was short-lived. I finished out the last two heats with a DSQ for being over early and a 3rd, my throw-outs for the slalom", explains Peterson. Close competition in the slalom came from James Dinnis from New Zealand and Gorge regulars Chris Prior and MacRae Wylde.
The weekend brought lighter wind conditions and six Formula races were run over two days in conditions from 7-20 knots. A strong and talented contingent of racers from San Francisco filled out the fleet and were looking to make their mark. However with some strong port tack starts and intimate knowledge of course angle and lay-lines, Peterson prevailed, winning 4 races and placing 2nd in the other two. "I stayed on my NX 9.9 sail and R16 68cm fin the whole time, even when others were on 11's and 12's. Its more work to get going in the low end, but way faster once you're moving" remarked Peterson.
Consistency throughout the event in conditions from 8-40+ knots paid off for Peterson. Congratulations Bruce on your double National Championships!
Full results from the US Nationals listed here.
More reports from the US Nationals here and here. |  |
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