Bill and Alice Porter's USA 1533 battles with Machbuster in a run for third place during Sunday's Conanicut Yacht Club J/22 series. Photo by Timothy Westcott The fresh 15- to 18- knot sea breeze on Sunday marked a sharp contrast to the light air of opening day two weeks ago. Anticipating the fast conditions, Race Committee Art Dutton and Peter Schott set a course of Zp, 13P (twice around). Only six starters were on the line, perhaps in deference to the blustery conditions.

Bob'syergrandaddy, with dad Peter Johnstone skippering this week, successfully controlled the favored pin and got a great start at that end. Bill and Alice Porter's USA 1533 had the next best position, while Blues eRacer and Machbuster started closer to the committee boat end. Bob'syergrandaddy, sailing flat and fast in the breeze, initially went left for the ebb tide in the channel, and then consolidated her gains by easily crossing the fleet. Half way to the windward mark, it was all too apparent that bob'syergarndaddy's only challenge would be finding special mark Z in the fog that hovered over the Dumplings. But with visibility improving, bob'syergrandaddy rounded Z with a big lead, followed by Machbuster, USA 1533, and Blues eRacer in a tight group, then Bad News and Quest.

No positions changed on the first run, as everyone stayed left of the center. On the second beat to Z, Louis Mariorenzi's Blues eRacer worked the smoother water of the Jamestown shore to some advantage arriving at Z less than a boat length ahead of Machbuster, two lengths ahead of USA 1533. Bad News, with only three on board, was too light for the conditions and struggled to keep up. Courtney Thomas's similarly underweight Quest withdrew to fight another day.

With bob'syergrandaddy on the horizon, it was a good battle for second. Fourth place USA 1533, a winner on opening day, had the bit in her teeth as she went after Machbuster on the run. Former fleet champ Paul Grimes III, son Alden, and cousin once removed Adele, were crewing on Machbuster, so this was a distinctly family affair, as Adele's mother Ellen Noble and aunt Alice Noble Porter were aboard USA 1533. This squabble worked to Blue eRacers' distinct advantage as she sailed a more direct course to a clear second place at the can. USA 1533 eventually won her skirmish with Machbuster but gave up any chance to catch Blues eRacer.

A near fetch to the finish meant no changes, as bob'syergrandaddy won easily wire-to-wire. Blues eRacer's well-sailed second was her best finish of the year, followed by USA 1533, Machbuster, and Bad News.

Race two was shortened to Zp, finish, and both Machbuster and Bad News chose not to start, the breeze showing no signs of subsiding. Again, bob'syergrandaddy took the pin and never looked back. However, this time USA 1533 was able to get to the top mark ahead of Blues eRacer and was never threatened for second. Bob'syergrandaddy with Johnstone driving and the redoubtable Dave Moffet crewing had given a clinic to the rest of Fleet 12 befitting their world championship credentials. USA 1533, however has taken a six point lead over FJ Ritt's Paladin for the overall series.