Even before we get started we got bad news. George Murray (#390) was packing up his boat in South Carolina when he fell off, breaking his sternum. Dave Woodruff (#471) let us know that George was in the hospital and was doing OK.
So George won't be here, but we will be thinking of him. Get well George, there is always next year.
-Jeff
The first Oregon boat rolls into Dallas!
Mark Fortier (#99) calls at 6:45 this morning. He is lost! He says he is on some island in the middle of the Lake and can't find the Club. After rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I give him directions and the phone number of the guy he is staying with (who probably got the next phone call -- sorry John). Mark is so happy he wants me to come have a beer with him. Tough call, but I had to take a raincheck. Work before beer I always say.
-Jeff
It's been a hectic week and there hasn't been much time for updating the stories page. To quickly recap: Tom Schock (#900)came into town and showed everyone he was going to be a strong contender by dominating the S20 class in the RCYC George Griffith Regatta. With his worst finish in second place he easily won the event.
There was no wind on Monday the 12th, so there wasn't much practicing going on. There was a lot of fiddling about with boats though.
On Tuesday the 13th the practice race was abandoned at 4:00 when the wind that had died refused to build in time to get everyone back to the Club in time for the bus to the State Fair.
The bus to the Fair was a big success. Thanks to Mike and Kathy Cazaban for organizing the bus. Thanks also to Jorge Murrieta for organizing the Tequilla!
As promised, the wind filled in for the first day of racing. With an 8 to 12 knot Southerly, the fleet was powering along with genoas. Tom Schock (#900) got off to a blazing start with 2 bullets in the first day's racing. It was getting scary. His speed and smarts had made some of us believe he had a motor hidden somewhere.
Wednesday night's activities included a guitar duo that created a nice atmosphere for telling stories around the keg on the Club deck. The Class also hauled up Terry Schertz and Andrew Kerr to explain what they had done to go fast on the first day. There were some good questions and a lot of open discussion. Unfortunately both Tom and Chris Winnard were too fast and got away before we could get them up in front and ask them questions.
So at the end of day 1 Tom Schock (#900) was in the lead with 2 points and Chris Winnard (#138) was in second place with 6 points.
The wind built a bit for day 2. Genoas were still the order of the day for the first race of the day where local David Rapier (#348) banged the right corner on the first leg and skated around the rest of the course (including a broach on the last run) to easily win race #3.
After lunch the breeze had built into the 18 knot range and everyone but Chris Winnard (#138) changed to the jib. It was interesting to see all the different track placement and jib cuts. But I really don't think that it made much difference. The biggest factors were getting a good start, going the right way, and having enough weight on the rail. Although Chris did win this race, it was because he went left off the line and has a big enough crew to hold the boat down.
One interesting note here is that before the race Tom Schock (#900) had just put up his jib and was going upwind on starboard when Mark Fortier (#99) who thought he was alone above the line on port had a big collision. Mark had spent a good part of the year repainting Hot Rod after being holed at the Schock Memorial Regatta in Newport Beach, CA earlier this year. Mark, it wasn't Tom's fault! I haven't seen the damage, but I understand there isa good hole in Tom's boat. I'm not sure if the hole in the boat had any effect since the team finished second in the race.
In race 5 even Chris switched down to the jib! It started building (as advertised) and started to resemble the BIG WIND that Texas is famous for. There were some surfing and near planing moments on these downwind legs. There were also some spectacular wipe-outs. Scott Johnson (#607) was caught on film during his traumatic mid-leg swim. Everyone was OK on the boat, but a little soggy for their efforts.
The forecast for tomorrow is for even more breeze so hang on! At the skipper's meeting on Wednesday PRO Jim Anderson asked what the top wind speed that races should be run in. Those present voted that 25 mph with gusts above would be reasonable. Tune in for more later.
At the end of Day 2, the tables had turned. Chris Winnard (#138) had taken the lead with 10 points and Tom Schock (#900) had dropped to second place with 14 points.
The last day of the regatta started out with the wind building on top of what we had the previous 2 days. There were no questions of whether it was jib or genoa weather. It was jibs as far as the eye could see.
The breeze built throughout the race. At the first weather mark Chris Winnard (#138) rounded first and elected not to set the chute. the rest of us in the pack further back saw a chance to gain on the leader and set. There were LOTS of wipeouts in this leg. I am happy to report that nobody was injured. David Rapier (#348) had a tremendous wipeout and wound up standing on the keel to get the boat up. At one point I saw Terry Schertz (#791) round up just below me. I kept on going, but I understand she got the boat back under control, gybed, then wiped out again before taking the chute down.
At the leeward mark, Tom Schock (#900) had gotten around Chris Winnard (#138) to take the lead. Jeff Kerr (#338) was in third and Doyle Sherman (#327) was in fourth with John Bartlett (#566) in fifth. Chris was very fast upwind and overtook Tom. Doyle and John were also fast and overtook Jeff by the second weather mark. At the second weather mark, Chris chose not to set. Tom set, but had a big wrap and decided to take the chute down. Doyle and John rounded and didn't set. Jeff set (because he is nuts and loves to fly the chute in big breeze). Jeff held the chute almost all the way down the second leg. No one else in the fleet set. About 100 yards from the leeward mark he put the bow into a wave and spun out. No problem though, since Doyle wound up spinning out without a chute. Jeff was now in third.
Chris went on to win the race with Tom in second. Doyle's superior upwind speed get him back even with Jeff. At the finish line Jeff had to decide whether to tack under the starboard Doyle or duck (and probably get tacked on). Jeff chose to duck, but waited too long. The boat hesistated in the turn and as a result, the new paint job on DEFIANCE now has some ground fiberglas on the deck. Jeff immediately did his turns. Doyle finished third and Jeff was fourth.
The fleet came in for lunch and was glad for the break. The wind continued to build and PRO Jim Anderson became a legend when he abandoned the last race because the breeze had gone about the 25 mph limit. There were a lot of sore and tired people who cheered loud enough to be heard half a mile away when the third gun was fired.
So Chris Winnard (#138) is the new Class Champion. This is Chris' third victory after being very close in both '96 and '97.
Fleet 15 finally doled out the sponsor giveaways before the trophy presentation. The sponsors provided coolers, discounts, and some great gear. The trophies were framed action photos from Sue Bodycomb and YachtShots. to order copies of photos or to see if there are any of your boat, you can contact Sue at bodycomb@flash.net. The final results are on the results page (race 7 was abandoned).
Bob Williams is the local sailing newshound and got this story published in the Rockwall paper. Thanks to Bob for his work!Thanks to everyone who made this event happen. Thanks to everyone who drove from near and far to make this a great event. See everyone next year at Lake Alcova, Wyoming for the 1999 S20 Class Championships / Nationals.
-Jeff