2008 Club Series Kickoff

On February 17, we began our new Club Points Series. Ten skippers took to the water for 10 heats with one throw-out. The wind was supposed to come out of the south at a steady 11 knots. For the first couple of heats, however, it came out of the southwest which meant it had to climb over a building at the edge of the lake. The effect was very difficult down drafts at both ends of the course. John Bottensek played RD for the day as the cast on his leg made walking the shoreline very hard. A different club member will RD the regattas each month so that everyone has a turn at it.

A very long windward/leeward course was set up and when the wind finally settled in to its predicted southerly direction, the skippers were able to put all their skills to the test. Tony Rieck started the day well with three bullets and two seconds in the first half of the regatta. Joe Walter finished the regatta with a series of bullets as well. In all, the two skippers won eight of the ten heats, with four bullets each. Baron Bremer won the other two heats, while Brett Biwer was very consistent with either a 2nd or a 3rd place finish in eight of his ten heats.

Everyone put in some good heats on the day at one point or another, including Tom Phillips who lead all the way around the course right up until about two boat lengths from the finish when Tony edged him out by about an inch to steal the win away. The amazing part was that Tom sailed the whole regatta with his B-rig while everyone else had their As up. Murray McQuaid also lead the whole way around the course only to be caught from behind when the wind where his boat was suddenly left him. It was great to see him doing well out in front and sad to it go like that. All I can say is I have been there many times and know just how you feel Murray.

At the end of ten heats sailed, we all put in one last time to get in two more heats when it seemed like everyone suddenly forgot how to sail. I don't know how it started, but two boats snagged together right before the start tape. Before they could separate, one rig wnet in the water. Then as we were trying to push the stricken boat to shore, since we had no chase boat, there was another crash and yet another rig in the water. And YES, one more crash for good measure, and YES, another rig in the water. John B called the regatta at that point as it was going to take some time to push the boats to the bank. So we ended the day with ten heats sailed.

Tony Rieck held onto his lead to win by just two points over Joe Walter. Brett Biwer was in third only 4 points back and Baron came in forth. The scores are below and the Club standings below them. The next Club Points Series Regatta is set for March 9th.