Well, as predicted, it
all came down to one race - and what a race it was! The weather was
mostly cloudy, winds 10-15 out of the SW, some chop, and rain shafts
in 2 of the 4 quadrants around the lake. The RC again set a
beautiful windward-leeward course, two and a half times around, with
the finish to windward. The line was about 500 yards long and
squarely set. The starting sequence began right around 1:30 and
there were no individual recalls. Once again, the fleet seemed to be
fairly evenly distributed along the line but with most of the
front-runners picking the middle to pin end of the line. 39 boats on
the line - such a sight to behold!
The real story of this
race was Nick Genovese, skipper of “In-n-Out”, who lead for four of
the five legs. Nick is a senior in High School, hoping to be
accepted into the Naval Academy, and has been very active in Fleet
19 and taking the boat on the road. This race was Nick’s formal
arrival on a national level and he will be a force to be reckoned
with the steady improvement that he continues to exhibit. Nick
started in an open spot on the pin end of the line, found a clear
lane in the middle of the course, and stayed in phase with the
shifts going uphill. Nick hit the top mark first, with all the major
players right on his heels, and kept his cool keeping some of the
best sailors in the country firmly at his six o’clock for the
next three legs. You could just feel that the whole dang fleet
was pulling for him, but alas, Jason Crowson caught him at the last
leeward mark. Nick then went left going up the course, while Jason,
DA, and Gordon Mattathal stayed in the middle/right and just managed
to snake by him at the finish. His dad was crewing for him as well,
and I’m here to tell ya’, that was one proud Papa. Nicely done Nick!
Another notable on this race was Doug Smith on “One Eyed Jack”, who
finished the regatta strong with finishes of 7-6 on the last two
races.
The team of Eric
Kownacki, Bob Martin, and Tom Jenkins on “Alexa” (named after Eric’s
daughter) carried the day however, and overcame a 2-point deficit on
Jim Martinez and the crew of “Loose Nuts”, taking a 5th to Jim’s
13th. This is Eric’s third S20 Nationals, and he came close last
year, and finished in the top 5 the year before. The third time was
indeed the charm, and his team’s focus, dedication, and terrific
preparation paid off with the overall victory. Eric took the gun on
Race 4 and managed to steer clear of disaster on that first day when
so many else where unable to, and only finished out of the top ten
once. His steady, consistent climb through the rankings and putting
up the number that he needed to, when it counted the most, led to
the promise land and the crown of the 2008 National Champion. Well
Don Eric, Bob, and Tom!
Afterwards, the fleet
gathered on the back deck for an awards ceremony that won’t be soon
forgotten. The night before Race Day 1, at a gathering that may have
involved the adult consumption of alcoholic beverages, Mark Erdrich
made the unthinkable pledge of promising to sing “Unforgettable” if
he happened to win the first race the next day. Well, life is a
funny thing sometimes, isn’t it Mark? Rick Gilstrap downloaded the
lyrics and handed the song sheet to all that were in attendance at
the Awards Ceremony, and Mark and crew were summarily called front
and center and the pledge was made good. This was closely followed
by The Most Reverend Mike, who proceeded to bring the house down
with a most howling old fashioned roast of just about everybody in
Fleet 19. Yes Mike, Fleet 19 does indeed have a sense of humor! Next
up was Phil Collins (ably assisted by Jason) who handed out some
great gag gifts, with the most notable being a set of rather large
latex cajones that were given to Mark Forrest for his port tack
start on the first race of Day 2. Finally, Nicholai and the crew of
“Hostile Takeover” were given blessed communion on their knees
(complete with 2 buck chuck wine) for their efforts in the “worst to
first” category with a 26 in Race 3 that was quickly followed by a
bullet in the Race 5.
Don Erickson, the
Regatta Chairman, and the undoubtedly the most enthusiastic Tuna 20
proponent in the Class, told this writer from the beginning the he
“wanted a Nationals that would never be equaled”. Now every
Nationals has there own form of magic, but ol’ Don just may have met
and exceeded the high water mark for Nationals. It had everything:
great weather and wind, a superb RC team, a massive turnout in boat
numbers, good food and a keg that never ran dry (thanks Rick!), and
the hospitality of a club and a group of sailors that may never be
equaled. It was truly one for the ages, and never has a conjunction
of such great sailing and such great people ever been experienced.
The whole event was truly a special experience, and we all couldn’t
be happier for the great people that make up Fleet 19, especially
after having been thrice denied.
San Diego’s own Fleet 7
at Mission Bay YC will have the unenviable task of following Fleet
19’s efforts and will be hosting the 2009 Nationals, and it was
great to hear of so many team that were already stating their
commitment to be there in late July of next year. It will be a great
venue, racing in the blue Pacific, and with all that San Diego has
to offer, also a great family vacation destination.
But for now, a hearty
WELL DONE to Fleet 19 and the Eugene Yacht Club, and
CONGRATULATIONS to the crew of “Alexa”, our 2008 National
Champions!
