9/4/11
36 annual Harry S Truman Regatta:
I was a perfect day to sail, plenty of sunshine and wind out of the NW at 7-10 with some gusting. In attendance we had 19 MC’s and a Hunter day sailor. We started at the west end of Green Lake so it was a downwind start or a very broad reach. We are interviewing Dave today since he was in the top thick of this race from the get go.
Dave, what was your plan for the start:
My plan for the start is always the same, it just never turns out that way. It seemed more crowded than usual with boats jockeying for position. I was following you along the start line and Mike almost hit me. Then I saw a clearing in the middle and headed for the line. It seemed like everyone was on the left and farther back. I got going pretty fast and thought I might go over early, but when the horn sounded my boat stopped at the line and I watched everyone get ahead of me. Believe it or not my overall plan for the race was to keep you in my sights at all times.
Tell us about your reach to the Channel, what boats were you competing with.
I stayed really focused on you. The only boat I remember was Bill and Katie Ingle because I tried to pass on the left. It didn’t work. Then I followed closely and tried to pass on the right.
As you entered the Channel, what was your plan, and again tell us about the boats near you.
I guess because I was so far right I got clean air and pulled ahead of Bill. As I pulled along side he tried to distract me by offering to tell me stories about his Mother.
Did you pass boats in the channel?
I passed Bill and quite a few other boats on my left. I couldn’t see who because of Bill’s sail and I stayed focused on you.
What side of the Channel did you exit.
I started far right and exited far left, just behind you.
Going from the Channel to Mill Lake was critical, tell us where and how you did on this leg.
I followed you along the left shore and tacked at the same spot you did. I thought we went too far left because the rest of the fleet did not take that route.
Once in clear air in Mill, it was almost a reach to Goose Island, how did you do on this leg?
I could not hold the line you were taking and was too far left. For a while I thought about going around Goose island clockwise. I was still ahead of the main fleet, but too far left and if I tacked they were on starboard and I felt they would pull past me. Just then gust hit and put me on the perfect line for Goose island. It felt as my boat left the water as I was on plane.
What place were you in when you rounded Goose Island, pass anyone?
I got to Goose Island in 3rd place right behind Curt. I thought he would hit the rocks on the west side of the island, but he missed them. I thought both of you would get caught in the weeds because of how close you were to the island. I pulled my boards up and let Curt cut a path thru the weeds for me.
Looked to me like you were in the top 3 coming back across Mill Lake, who were you competing with then.
When we got to the channel Curt stayed on a tack along the shore and I went more for the middle. I got past him, but Bill and Katie Ingle were right behind me.
Tell us about coming up win from Mill all the way through the channel.
The battle with Bill Ingle thru the two channels was the most fun I’ve had since I started sailing. We were close to touching on every tack. I was on starboard once and he didn’t yield when I thought he should have and I just missed hitting him ducking behind him. We both used the starboard tack on each other and coming out of the first channel we were side by side inches apart. I wanted to tack, but couldn’t until Bill did. I think he was trying to steer me into the lily pads by Flag Island. Going through the second channel we kept exchanging places, both getting ahead of each other on starboard tacks. He was ahead going into Green Lake.
Now for the finale’ tell us about the last leg of your race.
I stayed more along the shore and Bill was farther north. I almost flipped once when a gust hit me and I lost the mainsheet. I had sailed the whole race without looking behind me, but I felt someone right behind me. It was Mike. I still felt I could beat Bill to the line with a little luck and Mike kept pushing me. I took another gust and before I could do anything I was over. I had to climb in the boat to release the starboard board. I stupidly tried to get it up where it lay. It didn’t work. I jumped in again and swam the bow around. I climbed back on the boards and the boat slowly came up. I felt a little out of it and it took me a while to get going again. I don’t know if it was the water in the boat or the wet sail, but it seemed like I couldn’t get going again. I watched some boats moving up fast. I finally started to move and tacked to get across the line. Thank you Peter, Curt, Bill and Katie for the most exciting race I have ever sailed.
Thanks Dave, I really thought you had a good chance at second place. That’s it with the MC, you need to be prepared at all times. It’s what separates us from those cruising boats with a keel.
We followed the race with our annual awards picnic at the Hamilton’s . We had great turnout and actually ate most of the food. Besides making the awards the club discussed and made a few decisions:
1. We agreed to try Friday night sailing instead of Thursdays
2. We agreed to sail triangles for the Three Regatta Races
3. We agreed to move the HST and awards picnic back to the weekend after Labor day to avoid the channel on a heavy boat traffic day, add a regular season race to the schedule on Labor day, and have fewer club members who have to run off after the picnic because they have weekend guests.
In addition we had some changes to the officer positions:
1. Rob replaced Bill as Vice commodore
2. Bill replaced Mary Lou as Treasurer
The party was great fun among great friends.
The finale was Jack Sorenson winning the Sailor of the Year award based on his 3 first place finishes, and winning both the Regatta and Summer Series. See the web page for the whole year spreadsheet including the winners of HST. I believe this is the first time we have had 2nd and 3rd place finishers be two person boats.
Thanks to all of you for making this a Club Second to None. Already looking forward to next year.
peter
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