2012 Ultimate 20 North Americans

21 Ultimates converged on Pensacola Yacht Club in Pensacola, Florida on May 17-20 to test their skills.

Friday, 4 races were held in moderate, presistent shifting winds. The currents were caused a learning curve for boats not used to the flow of Pensacola Bay. After the first day, Jim Pearson and Tac Boston were tied for first.

Saturday, showed more of the same winds and tight racing. The fleet learned the flow of the bay bringing the boats even tighter together. At the end of the day, Tac and Jim were only separated by one point after 8 races.

The first 8 races, all boats finished with 2 minutes of each other. On the final day, light and shifty winds separated the fleet. 9 races were held over 3 days of very tight racing.

Jim Pearson and Tac Boston battled it out until the very last day to see who would be the repeating North American Champion. In the end, Jim Pearson and his crew Brad Boston and Eric Vigrass were crowned the 2012 North American Champions! Results below.

Story by Gregg Henning

Photo by Glenn VanHeel