*Stampede* claimed a third straight regatta win at the Verve Cup Inshore Regatta on Lake Michigan, dominating the fourteen-strong J/70 fleet with just 12 points across seven races.
The Chicago Yacht Club's Belmont Station hosted the end-of-summer fixture in unusually fine weather, though the water itself stayed choppy throughout.
*Stampede*, sailed out of Fort Worth Boat Club in Texas by Bruno Pasquinelli with Ron Weed and Greiner Hobbs, posted four race wins across the three days, finishing well clear of the rest of the fleet.
The Canadians on Kelly Hansen's *7th Heaven*, racing for Reef Boat Club, took silver with 14 points after three race wins of their own. Bronze went to Laura and Leif Sigmund's *Norboy*, sailing for the host club, on 19 points.
Those three boats effectively locked out the podium all regatta, trading placings between themselves race after race. Behind them the gap was stark: the next five boats all tied on 35 points, a full 16 back from third. Jorgen Johnsson's *Aquaholiks* won that countback for fourth, leaving Doug Fritz's *Lil Bit*, from Sheridan Shore Yacht Club in Wilmette, Illinois, in fifth.
The J/88 fleet produced the more dramatic story. Three boats, *Dutch*, *Exile* and *Banter*, arrived at the final day locked together on points, the outcome hinging entirely on the last two races.
All three won races, and all three finished mostly on the podium. When the dust settled, John Leahey's *Dutch*, sailing out of Colorado, had won the regatta on 18 points, taking the tiebreaker after winning both final races.
Andy Graff's Chicago-based *Exile* lost that countback for silver. Ben Marden's *Banter* took bronze, just 3 points further back on 21.
Brian Kaczor's *Erica* was fourth on 24 points, with David Dennison's *Piranha*, spinnaker and all, rounding out the top five on 35.
