2007 Moore 24 Nationals -- Race Results

 
HRYC Racing Survey

August 31, 2007: Twenty one boats and nearly 100 sailors from across the country converged on Hood River, Oregon to compete in the 2007 Moore 24 National Championship Regatta on August 24, 25 and 26.  Hood River Yacht Club (HRYC) organized and hosted the three day event.

HRYC members Morgan and Christa Larson won the final race of the regatta to narrowly claim the 2007 National Championship on Bruzer.  Brad Butler's Morphine finished in second just three points behind, with Bill Erkelen's Tortuga just one point further back in third place.

“Hood River provides a premier venue for racing," Moore 24 owner and local resident Brian Petros said. “The big breeze and big waves were challenging for even the most experienced teams."  Conditions ranged from 10-15 knots at the start of racing on Friday to classic Gorge conditions on Saturday and Sunday, with 20-25 knot winds and gusts above 30 knots.  "What a great weekend," commented regatta winner Morgan Larson.  "Twenty-one boats must be one of the biggest fleets ever to race in Hood River."

The race course stretched from the Event Site to the Hatchery, providing spectators with a great view of the action and sailors with some of the most scenic racing in the world.   “The windy conditions made for dramatic downwind sailing," said HRYC Club Secretary and event participant Doug Archbald. "We'd be screaming downwind with six or eight boats right alongside, and boats would wipe out right in front of us.”  Race winner Larson agreed, adding, "It is a credit to George Olsen and Ron Moore, designer and builder of the Moore 24, that a boat built in the 1970's can still take the punishment that the Gorge can dish out."

For the regatta winners on-board Bruzer, the weekend's racing had some special significance.  Larson said, "Our  bow-woman, and my wife, grew up sailing on the Columbia as a Hood River Yacht Club local.  Also on our crew was three other area locals -- Erik Hauge, Steve Erickson and Carol Douglas."  The Larson's boat also has a history perhaps more colorful than the boat's new purple paint job.  Larson continued, "Bruzer was built by Ron Moore but never had a deck put on it. The boat sat for many years until Gary Tracy, "Garski", bought the boat  
for next to nothing. Garski then built the deck and got the boat on the water, but passed away soon thereafter.  He was a good friend of my family and a true colorful Santa Cruzian. So, in many ways he was a part of our team, too."

Race organizer and HRYC member Tyler Bech was pleased with the success of the regatta.  "We received great feedback from all the competitors," said Bech.  "Everyone had a great time on and off the water, and the Moore 24s are looking forward to making Hood River a regular stop on their racing circuit."

Bech also noted that the regatta received strong support from the entire Gorge community, including Hood River Distillers and the Port of Hood River.  Bech added, "HRYC's many local members played a key role in putting together a great regatta--we couldn't have done it without them."

Race Results

August 24-26 2007, Hood River, Oregon