Inside Chicago Harbor, the northerly wind blowing through the protected mooring field was deceiving. Conditions appeared benign enough to send the sailors out for the final day of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in Chicago, but out beyond the breakwater, whitecaps frothed and the weather stations reported the truth: it was gnarly out on Lake Michigan, just too much for safe racing. Ahead of the official 0900 morning signals, organizers made the preemptive call and hoisted signal flag N over signal flag A on the yardarm: Racing was abandoned, and the previous day’s preliminary results were toggled to final. In the 24-boat J/70 fleet, Richard Witzel’s Rowdy USA1562 scored four bullets and ended with 11 points for the victory. Fernando Perez Ontiveros’ Black Mamba was runner-up with 26 points, and James Prendergast third with 28. Photos: https://bonnierphotography.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Sailing-World-Regatta-Series/C0000N4eI_zF58s0. Full Results: https://yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eid=15508.

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