Jealous Notes from the Fall-Off Regatta

November 8, 2003

by Carl Hellerqvist, Vice Commodore

There was a great wind blowing on a beautiful morning in November. A bunch of folks showed up with their clean and charged boats. Richie/Brenda had arranged for everything to be in place. In today’s world that seems to be equivalent to Crispy Cream and coffee. Between Brenda and Gretchen, the sailors were branded and came on the water eager to race. There were hesitant starters and aggressive ones, but surprisingly only once did the “over early” flag come in use; the Indian was lonely and wanted to charge. It is neat to watch the tactics in play as my friends apply all the experience they have gathered about what to do when they are clear to start and Joe Blow is in the way. To watch the fleets run to weather, round the weather mark and head down wind is entertainment and confusion all weaved into one. Why is downwind in a breeze not the shortest line to the next point? Craig and Drake were the only ones who came to my starboard but Galen and James must have made up for it later as they finished first and second respectively. The Northstars had as usual a great showing and the Brown/Keller/Brown combination is getting the hang of the boat and was sailing fast. Bill and David in second must have sailed just half fast and Steve Wherry a little bit worse then that, but third is not bad in a tough fleet of six. The cruisers without chutes were enjoying the day and Bill Brown has a habit by know to be ahead, although team John/LP/Laurie was close on their transom. Our newly weds Les and Edith cruised into third, not bad after a party out of this world. Congratulations you two from all of us sailors. The dinner was great, Ritchie did goood, the beverages were plenty and so was the food. A great day it was. I must have earned some points. I did enjoy seeing you out in the wind, but what would I not have given to be in my boat so serine, in conditions so perfect - at the least I would have forgiven my bet to Perrine. Thanks to Christina, Gretchen and Clayton for keeping the times for the starts, giving me a good time from the start till the closing of the gate. We hope to see you all at the Christmas party, and those who survive at the Kamikaze.

The results were as follows:

Spinnaker Light
1st Freeman who just turned 60!!!! But not ready for a Northstar.
2nd O’Dell, just past 40
3rd Holliday, still a kiddy
4th Carson, our new J22er
5th Jammin, all polished up
6th Dooley
7th Latour
8th Girone

Spinnaker Heavy (our Old Timer Fleet)
1st Brown/Keller/Brown
2nd Lewis/Perrine
3rd Wherry
4th Weil
5th Vague, bet you missed Pam
6th The Lindstroms

Non-Spinnaker
1st Brown
2nd Linder
3rd Hardy
4th Roberts
5th Anderson