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