Mercury Class Championship Regatta
September 25-27, 2026
Presented by Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club
Click here to see all of the pictures taken by Shaun McCarthy
Race 1
Eleven boats completed the opening race. Ben Mitchell and Scott Easom, won by a comfortable margin—a result that reflected the benefit of their practice time the previous day. Dave Morris and Patrick Whitmarsh finished second, just ahead of Randy Hecht and John Buestad.
Race 2
As the northwest breeze built over a moderate west-northwest swell, the conditions began to take a toll. At the start of Race 2, the rudder on #541 failed, forcing Mitchell and Easom to accept a tow back to the harbor. Morris and Whitmarsh were next to retire when their mast broke right above the deck at the beginning of the second weather leg.
Dave West and Chris Krueger won Race 2. Christopher Gould and his son followed, with Hecht and Buestad taking third.
Race 3
Although the wind and swell had increased, conditions remained moderate as the nine remaining Mercurys prepared for Race 3. Principal Race Officer Dick Clark selected a longer course with three windward legs: the first two were followed by a leeward gate, and the final leg by a run to the finish.
By the time the leaders began the third windward leg, gusts had risen above 15 knots, and the swell had reached heights not commonly encountered by Mercury sailors. Four of the nine boats headed for the harbor, and the course was shortened to finish at the end of the third weather leg.
Two of the five top finishers represented the Silver Fleet.
The second day brought sunny skies, a decreasing swell, and a northwest breeze that peaked at about 10 knots. Nine Mercurys returned for the final two races, including #504, sailed by Morris and Whitmarsh with a replacement mast.
West and Krueger led the standings with 9 points, followed by Dair and Ibold with 11.
Race 4
Spread evenly across the starting line, the fleet began a two-lap windward-leeward course. Near the finish, Dair placed a tight cover on West, allowing Morris to pass. Dair finished first and West third, leaving the two boats tied atop the standings going into the final race.
Race 5 and Final Results
The championship leaders kept their distance during the prestart. In the final seconds, Dair approached the committee-boat end of the line while West was nearest the pin. After the starting signal, the race committee displayed the X flag and hailed West as OCS.
Dair and Ibold finished second, while West and Krueger placed fifth. The result gave Dair and Ibold the championship by three points.
Overall Championship
- Greg Dair and Kaelyn Ibold
- Dave West and Chris Krueger
- Christopher Gould and son
Silver Fleet
- Chris Davis and Frank Volker
- Tom and Katy Priest
The Jack & Jill Trophy went to Greg Dair and Kaelyn Ibold
Many thanks to Principal Race Officer Dick Clark and the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club team.
Article and and on shore pictures by Jack McAleer
On water pictures by Shaun McCarthy
