The following is an unofficial/preliminary report (facts might be a bit messed up) from John Papadopoulos.  Any errors and omissions are my fault and will be gladly remedied!

After having finished second in the Qualifier Series, the team of Gaudio/Papadopoulos set the pace in the Championships Series by winning the first two races.  On day two, Gaudio/Papadopoulos faltered and the teams of Stu Robertson/Erin Frederick and Kurt Wiese/Anne Wiese emerged as serious challengers to the title.  At the end of the day, Robertson/Frederick were tied on points with Gaudio/Papadopoulos and Wiese/Wiese were only two points behind!

With the pressure to win fully on, Gaudio/Papadopoulos returned to form by winning the next race - guaranteeing at least 2nd place overall.  Quickly running all the numbers between races, they realized that could not let anyone finish between them and Robertson/Frederick unless to a fifth or worse - something not easily done.

With the breeze dying and the starting line biased more than 10 degrees, it seemed that match racing Robertson/Frederick had too low of a chance to succeed so Gaudio/Papadopoulos fell back to their strengths - tactics and boat handling.  They initiated a massive tacking duel against Robertson/Frederick that succeeding in protecting the desired middle and right side of the course and pushing Robertson back a bit.

Gaudio/Papadopoulos controlled the race through the last weather mark.  Even though they were focusing on protecting their lead, they could do nothing to avoid a dying breeze that then filled from the rear - bringing three boats (Robertson, Wiese, and Rodgers) up and over Gaudio/Papadopoulos and into the lead.  With this pack now extended out 10+ boat lengths, all seemed lost to regain contact with Robertson. Game over!

But wait!  The wind faltered at the leeward mark!  Kurt and Anne Wiese knew that they had a chance at second place overall if they too could push Stu Robertson back far enough so they fought hard to get the inside position.  While the lead pack slowed down, a new breeze filled from the left side of the course giving Gaudio/Papadopoulos enough velocity to catch the pack!

Wiese/Wiese won the rounding, Robertson/Frederick was second, Rodgers third, and Gaudio caught up to Rodgers.  Gaudio/Papadopoulos secured clean lane upwind by initiating a small tacking duel against Rodgers/Rodgers while Robertson/Frederick sought the traditionally favored right side.  Continuing left wind pressure - the same that brought Gaudio back into play, brought Gaudio, Rodgers, and outlier Freddie Stevens up onto a reach to the finish line - and over Robertson/Frederick.  In the end, Wiese/Wiese held onto their lead to the finish line, Gaudio/Papadopoulos finished 2nd, Rodgers 3rd, Stevens 4th, and Robertson/Frederick in 5th place - making Gaudio/Papadopoulos the 2003 Class Champions and 2nd place to Wiese/Wiese!

Phew!

+John Papadopoulos
Team No Fear
8/15/2003