This was the final event in the Qualifier series for getting into the SeaLand sponsored container to the Worlds in Hyannis. So several teams were fighting hard to ensure there spots in the container. Guest Stars this weekend included 5 time 18 foot Skiff World Champion Trevor Barnabus, who crewed for Danny Thomson.
Two races were scheduled for Saturday and one on Sunday. The course was around fixed marks placed around the lake, but are generally in a windward-leeward configuration. Saturday mornings race was a bit of a fiasco. For the first start less than half of the fleet made it to the start on time. The remainder of the boats started in the following few minutes. Mike and Howie crossed the finish line first, but to silence. The silence was repeated for almost every boat in the fleet, until Bruce Tilley and Andy Beckman crossed the line. Upon arriving on shore for lunch, we all found out that apparently the first start was a general recall. However no one in the fleet heard the signals or saw a flag. Bruce and Andy were the last ones to cross the starting line 5min and 10 seconds after the first start, which was only 10 seconds late for the real start; as a result, they finished first and the rest of the fleet was scored DNS. With only three races and no drops it seemed that they had the regatta sewed up after only one race.
After a nice lunch break, the fleet sailed out for race 2. This race was much less eventful, with everyone starting correctly. The light shifty conditions lead to some tight racing with Mike & Howard winning the race and Bruce & Andy securing their hold on the regatta with a second. Lots of places changed during the race offering exciting racing to everyone.
After racing everyone enjoyed the great out doors. Some took joy rides on the lake, while others went mountain biking or took hikes to see the huge Rancheria waterfall. Most people then had cookouts and socialized around different campsites.
Sunday had again very typical conditions for the lake. We had 1 long race with again Mike and Howie ahead followed a hot battle between Dave & Bruce and Bruce & Andy. The Santa Cruz Bruisers were able to work their way into second with Bruce & Andy who crossed the line third. However in shocking irony there was silence as Bruce & Andy crossed the finish line. They were OCS in the final race when all they had to do is finish the race to win the regatta. This mistake gave Mike & Howie the victory. Bruce & Andy's other finishes were good enough to give them 2nd overall with Dave & Bruce in third. Complete scores are listed below.
|--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | PLACE | CREW | SKIPPER | SCORES | PTS | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 1 | Mike Martin | Howard | OCS,1,1 | 16 | | | | Hamlin | | | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 2 | Bruce Tilley | Andy Beckman | 1,2,OCS | 17 | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 3 | Dave Shelton | Bruce | OCS,4,2 | 20 | | | | Edwards | | | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 4 | Matt Sanders | Brian Largay | OCS,3,3 | 20 | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 5 | Trevor | Dan Thompson | OCS,7,4 | 25 | | | Barnabus | | | | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 6 | Bruce | Steve | OCS,5,6 | 25 | | | Fleming | Anderes | | | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 7 | ?? | John Broome | OCS,9,7 | 30 | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 8 | Jim Waters | Ashley Tobin | OCS,8,9 | 31 | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 9 | Craig Perez | Steve | OCS,10,8 | 32 | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 10 | Ben Benjamin | Nick Adamson | OCS,DNF,5 | 33 | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 11 | Allan Norman | Ellen Ablow | OCS,6,OCS | 34 | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 12 | Eric Willis | Wendy | OCS,11,10, | 35 | | | | Herzberg | | | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------| | 13 | Kirk Wilson | Chuck Allen | OCS,12,11 | 37 | |--------+--------------+--------------+------------+------|