2001 LGYC Spring E Regatta

by Steve Schalk

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The third edition of the LGYC spring E regatta took place May 18 through the 20th in ideal weather conditions. A predicted no wind day on Saturday turned into a full day of racing with 8 to 15 mile per hour breezes in sunny 80 degree temperatures. The event started off on Friday afternoon with the delivery of several new boats from the Boatworks at Melges Performance Sailboats. Many of the competitors got in a full day of practice under ideal conditions. A practice race was held at 6:00 pm with 20 boats competing. Jim Gluek in V 751 took the win in that event. Art Larson generously provided pint cans of Bavaria to all the competitors at the dock after retiring from the race.

The first race of the event took three attempts to get underway with 45 competitors on the starting line. The 8 mile windward-leeward course was sailed in an east wind over 10 mph and took the leaders about an hour and a half to complete. Art Brereton on TO 101 came back from an early deficit to take the lead on the last leg and win. He was followed by Mike Darrow in V 39 who sailed a consistent second throughout the race. Next came Brian Porter in I 49, Jim Gluek in V 751, and Jim Smith & Bob Harring in I 7.

The second race was sailed after a break for lunch on the water in similar conditions with a slightly shorter course. Art Brereton again led the way followed by Jim Gluek in second, Peter Wright in I 52 third, Smith and Harring fourth, and Jeff Baker in V 85 fifth.

The third and final race on Saturday got underway under a black flag after several general recalls. The breeze held in direction but dropped in velocity at times during the race, challenging the competitors to find wind shafts as well as open lanes through the traffic. Dave Magno in LA 99 took an early lead and extended for the win, followed by Scott Ripkey in I 101, Rob Terry in CR 66, Art Brereton, and Pete Wall in I 149. The post race haul out went smoothly, assisted by polite competitors and a half barrel. The evening prime rib dinner was well attended, followed by the traditional night out at Chuck's for a large portion of the fleet.

Sunday dawned with even higher temperature predictions but with less wind expected. Early breezes from the south turned to the southeast as the Race Committee attempted to get underway with a steady fair course. After a pair of postponements, the wind settled in after about an hour, and race four was started. The southeast breeze built up above 15 mph at times and remained shifty, allowing for a lot of position changes during the race. Two boats got away from the pack and finished well ahead, while the rest of the fleet stayed close together. The downwind finish into the north shoreline was closely contested making for some hot work on the Flagship taking finishes. Art Brereton again took the gun, followed by Jim Gluek. In third was George Buekema sailing I 26 for an ailing Art Larson. Toby Sutherland from Grand Lake Colorado in GL 29 was fourth, followed by Smith and Harring.

Final top ten:

1.
 TO 101
 Art Brereton

2.
 V 751
 Jim Gluek

3.
 I 49
 Brian Porter

4.
 I 10
 Bruce Ayers

5.
 I 52
 Peter Wright

6.
 I 7
 Jim Smith/Bob Harring

7.
 I 101
 Scott Ripkey

8.
 CR 66
 Robert Terry

9.
 I 149
 Peter Wall

10.
 I 26
 Art Larson



Complete Results


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