Shifty Winds greet Brave Sailors

For immediate release

Submitted by Sandy Trend 627-6080

 

On June 29th, shifty West/SW winds with 15 knot gusts kept the sailing fleet on alert before the start of the first race of the Lake Region Sailing Club’s 2010 racing season sponsored by Lake Region Physical Therapy.   Using a staggered start time and PHRF handicap rating system, and following the 5:30 pm horn, the fleet set off upwind in a southerly direction.   Just as the horn blew the start of the race, the winds shifted to a steady southwesterly breeze with strong westerly gusts.

 

First over the start line was Jerry Guyot in his MC   Scow followed by Sandy Trend’s Sunfish, John Andrews’ Harpoon and new member Ray Turner in his O’Day 20.   Another new member, Randolph Parker, skippering his McGregor 22 was next at the start with Mark Cotton’s Catalina 25, Mike Caron’s Flying Scot, Pat Klofas’ Highlander, Charlie Perry’s Capri 25 and Bob Bean’s J22 following close behind.

 

A majority of the fleet easily made the windward mark on one long starboard tack.   Most were able to take advantage of the unpredictable, strong gusts from the West for lifts - not a typical windward leg.   First to the A mark was Jerry’s Scow followed closely by Sandy’s Sunfish.   Several minutes later the bulk of the fleet rounded the mark with the Harpoon, O’Day 20, Catalina, and Flying Scot leading the way.   The J22, Capri 25, Highlander and McGregor 22 followed next and rounded the mark without incident.   As the wind shifted to the west, with strong SW gusts, the fleet charged on to the second mark on port tack.   The Scow and Sunfish kept the lead and rounded the B mark well ahead of the fleet.

 

The third leg is when things got interesting.   A reach on port tack with westerly winds was the favored tack.   Everyone encountered their own pockets of light to heavy wind while battling sudden gusts of 15 knot winds.   Most of the fleet was able to take advantage of these gusts and gained serious headway to the 3rd mark.   A few boats were caught close to shore in dead air without the advantage of these gusts and suffered at the finish line.

 

Cotton’s Catalina 25 was first around the C mark and battled Bean’s J22 on port tack to the finish line.   Mark Cotton and crewman Brian crossed the line first followed by a stellar finish by the Rampage’s skipper Bob Bean and crew-woman Barbara.   Next was Mike Caron’s Flying Scot, John Andrews’ Harpoon and Charlie Perry’s Capri 25.   Ray Turner enjoyed his first Tuesday racing crossing the line in 6th place, followed closely by the Klofas Highlander, Trend’s Sunfish, Guyot’s Scow and Parker’s McGregor.   An invigorating race to say the least!

 

Race Results 6-29-2010

1           Mark Cotton

2           Bob Bean

3           Mike Caron

4           John Andrews

5           Charlie Perry

6           Ray Turner

7           Pat Klofas

8           Sandy Trend

9           Jerry Guyot

10         Randolph Parker

 

It’s never too late to start racing!   Join anytime.   Interested in crewing?   Check out our website at www.lakeregionsailingclub.com for contact info, or call Paul Follensbee 207-925-3142, Sandy Trend 207-627-6080 or David Eddy 860-841-7244.    We welcome all newcomers!   Until then, Sail Fast!

 
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