1939 North American Championship - San Francisco, CA
Sumner Wins Silver Star Championship
by Leo Benzini
The first North American Championship was held in 1939 at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay in conjunction with the 1939 World Fair. The contestants were housed and fed at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay as guests of the exposition management. Contestants were entertained at a lovely cocktail party at the St. Francis Yacht Club, at a Stag dinner and party at the Hotel Whitcomb, and at a huge banquet and trophy presentation at the Continental Club of Treasure Island.
The series was hard fought and very close throughout. Young Walter (Punky) Sumner and able Jack Watson of the San Diego Bay Fleet sailed a clean, consistent series and well deserve the Silver Star Award. The boys seemed right at home in the heavy weather throughout the series. This came as quite a surprise to the dopesters as their home waters are better known for their light airs.
The favored Cowrie brothers, Jim and Gordon sailed Rambunctious to second honors. This was the first series lost by the boys this year. D. McKenzie, Sachem, of the Los Angeles Harbor Fleet took third place and was a constant threat at all times.
Jim Michaels sailed a fine series and might have won but for a slight misjudgment in distance when he hit Whitecap II in the second race and immediately withdrew.
The Race Committee consisted of Glenn Waterhouse, Cliff Smith, Hal Atkinson, Geo. Wayland, and myself. Sparkler III won the distant fleet trophy. Several of the finishes were very close and exciting and kept the committee guessing as to the final outcome until almost the last second. All the races started out in moderate airs which increased to heavy winds and very choppy conditions during the course of the races.
Results
1939 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP - TREASURE ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO BAY, CA Place No. Name Skipper Crew Fleet Daily Places Pts. 1 1162 Whitecap II Walter Sumner Jack Watson SDB 6 1 2 1 2 63 2 1581 Rambunctious Jim Cowie Gordon Cowie SMB 1 2 5 3 4 60 3 1544 Sachem Douglas McKinzie LAH 2 3 3 5 6 56 4 1440 Mercury J. McAleese WSFB 4 dnf 1 2 1 52 5 1865 Jade Robert White WSFB 5 6 4 4 7 49 6 1560 Stormy C. F. Baxter NH 3 7 dsq 7 5 38 7 1687 Pamame III Bill Barnett ESFB 7 11 6 6 8 37 8 1764 Sparkler III J. B. Cleary NOG 9 4 dnf 8 3 36 9 1610 Arstar II William Warren ESFB 10 8 7 10 9 31 10 Chaser S. Potter SMB 8 5 9 9 dsq 29 11 1481 Algodon II Charles Cotton NH 12 10 8 13 11 21 12 924 Alcor Frank Hiscock PS 11 9 dnf 11 10 19 13 Windor G. Parsons EB dnf 12 dnf 12 dnf 6 14 1354 Punch Philip Aaron PS dnf dnf dns 14 12 4
