SAILORS END SEASON WITH 2 RACES AND A TROPHY CEREMONY

 

August 31st marked the final race of the Lake Region Sailing Club’s Tuesday night 2010 racing series.   Prior to the 5:30 pm starting horn a steady north breeze of 5 knots had sailors happily tacking back and forth in front of the starting line.   Blue skies, sun and an 80 degree temperature made for a beautiful evening to sail.   As soon as the starting horn blew the wind subsided to less than a knot.   The fleet slowly crossed the starting line and headed north to the A mark.   Drifting, bobbing and baking, the fleet attempted to round the course.   When the 1st boat reached the 3rd mark an hour and a half into the race, the race was called .   Some boats had just rounded the second mark, while a few had already started their motors or were paddling for shore.  Placement was determined by the order boats were in at the time the race was called.   Sunset was imminent as skippers attempted to reach port before dark.   It was a quiet ending to an action packed fun summer of racing.   A hearty thank you to Pat Klofas and Lake Region Physical Therapy for sponsoring our Tuesday night summer racing series, and to Craig Trend for running the Committee Boat, setting the marks, taking photos, and scoring the results.

 

On September 4th, the Anchorage Regatta brought out 15 sailboats, including some guest boats and sailors.   Hurricane Earl kept his promise and headed out to sea allowing the race to go on.   A 7 mile course was set by Walt Read and Paul Follensbee.   With staggered start times, unpredictable west/southwest winds, and a single cannon shot, the Sunfish and Porpoise led the fleet over the starting line.   Sailing was fast and furious with several boats having their own mini battles within the race.   Winds were 10-15 knots throughout the race.   The Sunfish and Porpoise battled it out during the entire race, swapping the lead with each other numerous times all the way to the finish.   The starting line was in Harrison with the fleet on a reach heading 2 miles south, then a broad reach to the eastern shore, an upwind leg to the west shore, back to the southern mark before returning north to the finish line.   Dave Eddy’s Thistle crossed the line first to the sound of Perry’s cannon followed by Guyot’s Catalina 25 and Caron’s Flying Scot.   Sandy Trend and Dave Stuart’s Sunfish crossed next with Jeff Kroessler’s Laser and Cathy Grigsby’s Porpoise crossing next.   Mark Cotton’s Catalina 25, Ken Antonovich’s Vanguard Nomad and Bob Bean’s J22 were close behind.   Seconds later Dave Kroessler’s Vanguard 15, Charlie Perry’s Capri 25, John Andrews’ Harpoon 4.6, Jesse Mann’s Hunter 23.5 and Jim Douglas’ O’Day 25 rounded out the fleet.   All in all it was a fast race and everyone had a good time enjoying the strong winds.   Thank you to the Committee Boat of Walt Read, Barbara Zeller and Greta Kroessler for taking photos and scoring the race.

 

After the race everyone gathered at the Gazebo in Harrison for a Pot Luck and annual Trophy Ceremony.   Trophies were awarded for the Anchorage Regatta, Tuesday night race series sponsored by Lake Region Physical Therapy, and the Dave Thompson Memorial Trophy.   The Dave Thompson Memorial Trophy is awarded “for dedication to sailing” and is awarded to one sailor each year who best embodies the spirit and dedication that Dave brought to the sport of sailing.   Dave was especially interested in introducing new sailors to the sport.   This year’s winner was, to my surprise, myself, the author of this article.   While somewhat speechless at the time, I am pleased to say I am honored and humbled as the recipient of this prestigious award.   For me, this award is the pinnacle of all sailing awards and one that I will always cherish and treasure.   Dave sailed a Sunfish which is near and dear to me as I grew up sailing Sunfish, although I never did race very well back then.   I was just beginning to realize the depth of Dave’s passion and knowledge for sailing and racing when he passed away at the 2006 Sunfish World Championship races.   The enthusiasm and support of Dave, along with all my fellow sailors, is what keeps me coming back each Tuesday to race, to continue to learn, and strive to sail my best - even when I’ve had a bad race the week before.   Dave’s spirit lives on in the club and in everyone who knew him, we miss you.   Sail Fast Dave!

 

Anchorage Regatta Results – Sept. 4th

 

Race Class

1                 David, Libby & Derek Eddy/Thistle “Gwaihir”        

2                 Mike Caron & Kathy Kroessler/Flying Scot

3                 Jeff Kroessler/Laser

4                 Bob Bean, Hugh Bean & Paul Gillis/J22 “Rampage”            

5                 Dave, Drew & Harry Kroessler/Vanguard 15         

6                 Charlie Perry, Paul Follensbee & Jeff Murdoch/Capri 25 “Lee Bitts”

 

Cruiser Class

1                Jerry & Mary Guyot, and crew Tom/Catalina 25 “Sail La Vie”  

2                 Mark & Jackie Cotton/Catalina 25

3                 Jesse & Dwayne Mann/Hunter 23.5 “Martina”        

4                 Jim Douglas & Karen Becker/O’Day 25 “Thanks Dad II”

 

Dinghy Class

1                 Sandy Trend/Sunfish           

2                 David Stuart/Sunfish           

3                 Cathy Grigsby/Porpoise      

4                 Ken, Julie & Nicki Antonovich/Vanguard Nomad   

5                 John Andrews/Harpoon 4.6            

 

 

 

Lake Region Physical Therapy Tuesday Night Racing Series 2010

Year End Race Results:

 

Race Class

1                 Bob Bean, Barbara Zeller, Hugh Bean & Paul Gillis/J22 “Rampage”            

2                 David, Libby & Derek Eddy/Thistle “Gwaihir”        

3                 Mike Caron/Flying Scot

4                 Walter Read/Laser             

5                 Charlie Perry/Capri 25 “Lee Bitts”

6                 Pat Klofas, Rich & Kathy Wohlenberg/Highlander

7                 Rob Knowles & Anne Wold/Capri 22 “Barbara B”

8                 Greg Dean/Laser

 

Cruiser Class

1                 Mark & Jackie Cotton/Catalina 25

2                 Jim Douglas & Karen Becker/O’Day 25 “Thanks Dad II”

3                 Jesse & Dwayne Mann/Hunter 23.5 “Martina”        

4                 Doug & Jan Wall/Hunter 23 “School’s Out”

5                 John Cavanaugh/Hunter 23 “Rubato”

6                 Jerry & Mary Guyot, and crew Tom/Catalina 25 “Sail La Vie”  

7                 Ray Turner/O’Day 20

8                 Randolph Parker/McGregor 22

 

Dinghy Class

1                 Sandy Trend/Sunfish

2                 John Andrews/Harpoon 4.6            

3                 David Stuart/Sunfish

4                 Jerry Guyot/Mini Scow

5                 Ken Antonovich/Vanguard Nomad

6                 Cathy Grigsby/Porpoise

 

Dinghy Class – Honorable Mention – the following sailors raced just a few Tuesday night races with the club and had a great time:

Bob Perry/Sunfish

Peter Hughes/Sunfish

Marc Dohan/Marshall Cat

Camp Newfound/Hunter 140

Dick Jones/Sunfish

David Kanter/O’Day DS17

Camp Owatonna/Hunter 140

Matt Keene/O’Day Javelin

Liz Fox/Sunfish

Rachel Gardner/Marshall Cat

 

Interested in sailing or trying out racing for the 2011 season?    Check out our website at www.lakeregionsailingclub.com for contact info.    We welcome all newcomers!    Until then, Sail Fast