REPORT

The annual LHYC spring regatta was held this past weekend with thirteen boats attending. For the first time ever, every sub-region of the ECESA was represented for this regatta with boats from Little Egg, Keuka, Chautauqua, Mantoloking, Lavallette, Bay Head as well as the local Hopatcong boats. Saturday morning, there was a flurry of action at the club as many people were setting up their boats for the first time with the new rig. After registration and a brief skippers meeting, the boats were sent out to the course for the first of three scheduled races.

The first race got off with out any issues sailing a short course with ¾ miles legs and a shifty breeze of 8-10 from the West / Southwest. The fleet stayed bunched up until the first leeward mark when, needless to say some were learning to keep the massive asymmetrical out of the water. Ultimately the first race was won by Dick Wight, followed by Bill Nolden and Dave Magno. As the fleet hovered around for the second start of the day, the breeze continued to build to 10-12 and shifted to Southwest allowing for a longer course. Once the course was reset, it was apparent that the fleet was jumpy. After 2 general recalls, the I flag went up and the fleet got off the line on the 3rd try. Now with a mile and half windward leg, hitting the shifts was key. The point that the race is never over was apparent as positions in the race shifted quite dramatically during the runs, as finding more pressure pays off even more now. At the finish it was Dick Wight, Followed by Bob Koar Jr. and Tom Wiss as the fleet headed in for lunch.

As the fleet was in for lunch, the breeze continued to build as the front was moving in. After a short break, the fleet headed back out for the 3rd race in 15-20 from the southwest. All of the fleet got off the line clean and the race was on. At the first windward mark it was Bill Nolden leading followed closely by the pack. As the breeze hovered in the upper teens and gusted up into the 20’s racing got wet and wild. Several boats decided to clean out the leaves and go for a swim on the first run. For the remainder of the race, the fleet was dropping like flies. At the second windward mark, Bill Nolden putting on a display for all to see. With his experience as one of the original asym test boats, Bill hoisted his chute and immediately opened up a monster gap between himself and Dick Wight in second setting a blistering pace of less than 5 minutes to make it to the leeward mark. At the end, it was Bill Nolden taking the win, followed by Dick Wight and Bob Koar Jr. as only 5 of the 13 boats made it over the finish line.

Lake Hopatcong hosted dinner for the regatta, and all were a buzz about some of the rides on the lake with flat water and big breeze. After numerous hours of great conversations and even more libations, the fleet headed home to lick their wounds. Sunday morning arrived cool and calm. With a forecast of 10-15 from the southwest, many had visions of the day before. As the lake looked to start filling the fleet was briefly sent out but the RC promptly canceled the racing as it was apparent that the breeze would only arrive when the storms came.

Final Results were Dick Wight (MA-10), in First Bill Nolden (LA-11) in Second and Dave Magno (LA-99) winning the tie breaker with Tom Wiss (HO-32) for third.