Bookend wins propel John Potter to Santa Elena Regatta overall crown

John Potter swept to victory in the racing class on both days of last weekend’s Santa Elena Regatta, becoming the first name to be engraved on a new trophy honoring the overall winner.

Potter, sailing the J/105 class Dead on Arrival, first captured Saturday’s Jean Ribaut Cup amid strong winds and a steep chop that left only 10 boats competing in Port Royal Sound.

One day later, calmer conditions on the Beaufort River did nothing to change the result as Potter completed the sweep with victory in the Pedro Menendez Cup.

The cruising class, which doesn’t utilize spinnakers, produced two different winners. Reggie Fraser won Saturday’s Jean Ribaut Cup races over David Dixon; Mark Schuster captured the Pedro Menendez Cup competition over Al Hefner.

Ricky Akers, second in the racing class Saturday and third Sunday, finished second behind Potter in the overall standings.

The two races, previously conducted on separate weekends, were brought together by the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club as part of this month’s festival to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the Santa Elena colony’s establishment on Parris Island.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Bookend wins propel John Potter to Santa Elena Regatta overall crown."