Rock Hall Annual Regatta
- Saturday, June 22nd, 2002 - Sunday, June 23rd, 2002
- Rock Hall YC
- Rock Hall, MD
Twelve Lasers made it over to Rock Hall Yacht club last weekend. Situated on the Northern side of Maryland's Eastern Shore, RHYC is one of the great picturesque venues for the Laser class. I don't have the results (would certainly like to ...) but I do have summary reports from two of the competitors. It sounds like they had a great weekend! Mike Schmidt made it two victories in a row as he also captured the Dave Irey Memorial last weekend at West River.
Here's what Chris Legg (Severn Sailing) had to say:
"I didn't get the full results. Mike Schmidt (Magothy River Sailing Association) sailed really well, showing great speed in the light and light medium stuff plus good tactics. He made no major mistakes and to my knowledge placed in the top three every race. He was awesome. Brian Shores (Severn Sailing) also sailed beautifully. Not quite as consistent, he nevertheless showed the abaility to overtake from behind as well as lead from start to finish. He placed second. A guy from Virginia Beach, recently moved there from Arkansas, captured 3rd, close behind Brian. (Anybody know this guy's name?)
The weekend featured tight racing, great food (roast beef), and great comraderie among the laser sailers, 505's, I 14's etc. Light on Saturday as we sailed two races, one took 2 hours! On Sunday at first it was again light, but the sea breeze came in and the last race saw us fully hiked out upwind and zig-zagging downwind. We sailed three races.
What else can I tell you? Brian, Mike, and the fellow from Va. Beach were more consistent than the rest but everyone had his or her moment and came away with some moments to brag about. Diane Burton (Severn Sailing) used a Hampton at the gybe mark in a beautiful pick and gybe move to improve her position. Bob Tan (Severn Sailing) went low on a dead air reach to dramatically close on the leaders. JR Futcher (Austin, Texas) let Luke Shingledecker (Severn Sailing) know in no uncertain terms that his port approach to the windward mark was not kosher. Luke, for his part, had some great races, demonstrating a knack for finding the good shifts in the light stuff. It was very competitive and the rankings changed with each race.
Off the water, it was a really great weekend as many of us elected to stay overnight and tent on the yacht club's spectacular grounds. The talk Saturday night was enlivened by replays of the major and minor moments of the day. Loosened up by the beer, the bragging, and the feasting, the participants were then treated to Int. 14 sailor John Macielag's video's of himself and crew sailing their fast but unstable craft. John and crew were most impressive, particularly when they dangled at the end of their centerboard after a mistimed gybe. The crowd hooted and hollered but our guffawing was just beginning, for someone slipped into the video machine a feature on Austrailian skiffs in extreme air. After a day of 2-5 kt. winds, the sight of those skiffs pinwheeling was just what we needed.
One last note: after the last race on Saturday, John Quay -in an act of true nobility passed out very cold Molson's to the racers. Several pronounced his act of charity the most remarkable kindness ever extended to themselves and the brews the most sweet ever consumed. There is something to the idea of torturing oneself simply to more fully appreciate one of life's little pleasures! John became an instant hero."
And here is what Susan Shipman (Severn Sailing) had to say:
"THE VIEW FROM THE BACK OF THE PACK.....
Rock Hall, Md. Saturday greeted us with Sunny skies and very light wind. There were about 12 Lasers out on the course along with International 14s, 5o5s, Hampton's, Wind Mills and Sunfish. Some one on the RC boat was overhead saying "Oh there are so many of them!" regarding the Lasers HA! She should see TESOD! The courses were Olympic. The first race was really patchy and light, we well exceeded the time limit but, oh well. The second race the wind filled in a bit more. Not too sure who finished where...I did manage to beat one boat on the second race though! On the ride back to the club we were greeted by John Quay in his motor boat and treated to, "the best tasting beer I've ever had" said Chris Legg. Thanks John! Rock Hall provided an excellent dinner Saturday night which was both preceded and followed by beers and great sailing videos. It was a beautiful night for camping on the Rock Hall grounds.
Sunday the breeze was solid and built throughout the day. We got in three races. Had a few interesting starts with the I 14s finishing during our start. It seemed like going left was the thing to do, but you'll have to get the report from someone else for advice on tactics and results....For those of you who missed it, it was a good time and definitely should be on you list of "go to" regattas next summer!"
Added: 6/23/2002 13:31:56 by Jon Deutsch
Updated: 7/02/2005 13:31:56 by Jon Deutsch