Small Fleet Enjoys Big Racing at Mystic
By Dave Brawner
We had seven boats register for the regatta and six actually made it
across the starting line. Though the fleet was small, the racing was
close. There are plenty of distractions at Mystic that you aren't
going to have to deal with at your local pond. You race from the lift
dock and look over the channel to the racing area. Between you and the
race course, anything and everything can and will pass through. One
minute it's a 100 foot monster yacht and then the next it's a row boat full
of kids. Just when you get the hang of dodging the big boats, then you
notice the tide is ripping through. Sometimes it's all you can do just
to keep up with the buoys much less rounding them. And then, the
Sabino shows up.
With that said, it's a neat place to race. We sailed 18 heats over
two days with one throw out. Rick and I had a fun back and forth
battle for the lead. I managed to beat him but the racing was much
closer than the score indicates. Bob Kjellberg sailed an awesome
regatta which included two first place finishes. Shortly before race
16, Bob announced that he was going to win the heat. True to his word,
he dominated the heat. Fred Maurer with his every present smile
battled hard all regatta earning a bullet in heat 10. Doug Wotring
ventured to Mystic for the first time and started the regatta with a second
place finish. He got an unfortunate lesson in tidal flow while leading
the fleet to the wing mark which was tucked downwind of the lift dock.
His commanding lead quickly disappeared as wind diminished and the tide got
hold of his boat bringing it to a complete standstill at the mark. It
was good to see George Greenhalgh out there racing with us.
Once racing was done, it was playtime at Mystic. Doug Wotring had
one of his mini twelve meters with him. It's a 12' version that you
sit in with just your head peeking out. Many of us took a turn sailing
up and down the river.
John and Susan Garbarino invited all the participants from Raceweek to
their house for dinner on Friday night. We had a terrific time getting
the tour of John's playground. He tends to collect big yellow machines
as a hobby. In the toy department, John has us beat. Thanks for
having us over.
The regatta was run to perfection by our RD Rich Ellis and his staff.
We thank them for giving their time so we could enjoy the racing.
|
Skipper |
Points |
1 |
D. Brawner |
27 |
2 |
R. West |
34 |
3 |
R. Kjellberg |
46 |
4 |
F. Maurer |
68 |
5 |
D. Wotring |
73 |
6 |
G. Greenhalgh |
120 |
7 |
J. Linville |
136 |
|