The 2005 Green Mountain Regatta was held June 4th and 5th. Six visiting skippers gathered with five Vermonters on a fine weekend for sailing and visiting. Gary Mueller made the longest trip, traveling from Wisconsin, but appeared well rested. Hal Slentz-Whalen, on the other hand, arrived in Stowe as the day was dawning after a long night of driving in a rainstorm. The skies were clear Saturday, but there was barely a breeze as the time came and went for Saturday’s pre-race meeting.  Not long after the scheduled start of racing the wind began to ripple the pond and racing got off to a good start.

 

Ivor Walton grabbed the first win and an early lead with Jarl Wathne nipping at his heels as they traded wins before the lunch break.  The remainder of the fleet worked hard for position with no clear favorites, though Hal began to wake up late in the morning putting together a string of 3rds and a 2nd. Everyone was glad to get out of the sun for a well deserved lunch in the air-conditioned Commodores Inn dining room.

 

The wind filled in a bit for the afternoon’s sailing with an energized Jack Kendra and Bruce Nourjian winning the first two races and placing well throughout the afternoon. Jarl put together three wins to end the day with Phil Tonks taking 2nd in the last two. Twelve races were sailed over almost as many courses. While the wind was light there was enough to avoid Stowe’s sometimes drifting conditions. Temperatures in the mid-80’s made for the warmest day of the Green Mountain Regatta in recent memory and it was a pleasant change from the rainy conditions often experienced.

 

At the end of the first day Jarl’s miserly 18 points landed him in first. Ivor was in second with 32 points. Jack, Bruce and Phil were vying for 3rd within a point of each other. Ken Shaw landed in 6th position at the end of day one, but was called to his daughter’s rugby game and wasn’t able to compete on Sunday.

 

Sunday promised a slightly cooler day with somewhat more wind, though still sunny and very pleasant. Racing began at 10 a.m. and was a lot closer with eight skippers winning the ten races sailed. Ivor once again took the first one followed by Harry Mote and Jarl. The home team finally woke up with Paul Fixx, Phil and Bruce finishing 1, 2, 3 in the day’s second race. That didn’t last long as Harry won the 3nd race and was followed by Ivor and Jarl. Bruce took the lead for the 4th race, followed by Ivor and a rejuvenated Gary. Jarl’s win in the 5th race showed Ivor that catching up wasn’t going to be easy, but it didn’t last long as Hal and Harry took 1st and 2nd in the sixth as Ivor in 3rd bested Jarl in 4th.

 

At noon the competitors agreed to delay lunch as the dark clouds of an impending cold front and possible thundershowers appeared on the horizon and promised an early end of racing. Paul won the seventh race and was followed closely by Jarl and Ivor. The eighth race saw Jack notch his second win of the regatta followed by Gary, who was improving upon his Saturday showing. Jarl took a point from Ivor as they finished 3rd and 4th. Phil, who had been sailing well all day, grabbed his first win in race nine, followed by Ivor, Jack and Gary.

 

The wind began to die as the tenth race started and it looked like it might be the last race of the regatta. Jarl and Ivor were dead even in the scoring, though Jarl had a 10th to throw out against a 5th for Ivor.  Ivor finished the day as he’d started by taking his second win of the day. Phil and Jarl finished 2nd and 3rd ahead of Harry and Jack.

 

The last breath of wind faded at 1 p.m., the regatta was called and lunch was served for the tired, but happy group. The regatta was notable for lots of close racing and very little contact between boats. Ivor finished the day with 21 points, gaining nine on Jarl, but it wasn’t enough to make up the 14 point difference he needed.   Sunday’s racing was close for the 3rd spot with Paul, Phil, Harry, Jack, Gary and Bruce finishing between 40 and 49 points. Phil, Harry, Hal and Paul all improved their positions on Sunday.

 

Following lunch all competitors were awarded etched Stowe Yacht Club glasses. Ivor, Phil, Jack and Bruce earned engraved pewter steins for placing second through fifth. Jarl, in first, now enjoys an engraved clock/barometer commemorating a fine effort.

 

Race Director George Dean was ably assisted by Race Committee members Bob Letwenski, Carrie Nourjian, Tim Stone, Suzan Letwenski and Diane Fixx who all earned coveted SYC etched glasses for their efforts. As usual the Commodores Inn staff was on hand providing breakfast, lunch, drinks and help wherever it was needed.

 

-Paul Fixx

 

RESULTS

 

Place Skipper                      Sail #              Home                                      Score

 

1          Jarl Wathne                88                    Sharpsburg, MD                    47

2          Ivor Walton                 1540               Boothwyn, PA                        53

3          Phil Tonks                  62                    East Calais, VT                     98

4          Jack Kendra              710                 Hatfield, PA                           101

5          Bruce Nourjian           800                 Stowe, VT                              104

6          Harry Mote                 1756               Barnegat, NJ                         111

7          Hal Slentz-Whalen     03                    Edgewater, MD                     128    

8          Gary Mueller              26                    Burlington, WI                        134

9          Charlie Berry             880                 Stowe, VT                              150

10        Paul Fixx                    1621               East Hardwick, VT                162

11        Ken Shaw                  1293               Essex Junction, VT               167