Coconut Grove Sailing Club
October 20 & 21, 2001

What Happened:

If you like to surf, drift and swim, this was the weekend for you! This months two day regatta by CGSC had it all!

Saturday, Race 1...12 knots of breeze and a nice course was set. Tom Piper got off the line with a good start just to leeward of the fleet and punched out. They basically led the balance of the first leg. Brian McCarthy driving 980 also got off to a good start. On rounding the top mark, 1095 was closely followed by Russell Steiner in 878, Robert Bell in 1090 and Scott Piper in 1202.

1095 jibed and allowed the balance of the group to continue. Steiner and crew had a good run and was able to get by and round the leeward mark first with 1095, 1090 and 1202 close behind. Steiner and Bell continued for the right corner, 1095 tacked up the middle and Scott in 1202 tacked immediately and went for the left side of the course. Both sides played out well allowing Steiner to keep the lead with Bell close behind. Scott Piper got by Tom Piper to take 3rd. Right behind Tom was Bill Davis's boat 980 finishing 5th.

Race 2...wind is starting to drop to 8-10 knots. A shift just before the start favors the pin. 1095 starting at the pin gets off clean and then flops over to cross the fleet. 1095 carries this lead thru the top and bottom mark. Robert Bell rounds 2nd with Steiner close on his heels. They begin to luff it up to protect their slots. Scott Piper takes advantage and drives down thus passing them both....but the wind continues to drop. At the leeward mark, 1095 has a substantial lead followed by 1202. Bell holds off Steiner and everyone rounds with virtually no steerage way as the wind drops to 1knot or less.

Now, you have to appreciate this picture. Tom Piper has a substantial lead but going no where. Scott Piper has a nice lead on Bell who is just ahead of Steiner and Geoff Eiselle in 800. Bells crew, Marshall Duane and Scott Rice start the magic and set the boat set up nicely for this "no breeze" condition and she starts to move...I mean move. You could have sworn they had an engine on board! Right thru Scott and then climbed up and went thru Tom. Geoff Eiselle in 800 catches on as well. He climbs right thru Steiner, Scott and Tom. Then Steiner gets it going and also climbs right thru everyone! Bell wins it followed by Eiselle, Steiner and finally Tom finishes 4th. Sharon Bourke in Ghost gets it cranked up and finishes 5th...then Scott finished. WOW!

Saturday night....by the way, where has John Ulbrich, Mark Storrs and Bob Weinstein on 1103 been? I am glad to announce that John and Belinda tied the knot Saturday night at the Ritz Carlton in Palm Beach. A lavish event for a wonderful couple. John and Belinda, we all wish you the best!

Sunday, Race 3...10-12 knots out of the east. Scott Piper gets off a nice start closely followed by Bell's boat now with a new crew with the prospective new owner, Jeff Devers driving. Scott and Jeff continue up the left side of the course with Steiner and Tom Piper working the right side. At the weather mark, it is Scott followed by Jeff and not far back, Steiner with Tom just behind. At the leeward mark, Tom gets inside and over Steiner on the rounding. The balance of the race is uneventful and the race finishes accordingly.

Race 4...prior to the start, most noticed the black line of squalls just to the south. Scott Piper had the lead with an excellent start. In the pack was Sharon also with a good start. At the weather mark, Scott rounds first with a good lead and Steiner and Tom Piper just behind. Sharon and crew round next with Geoff Eiselle in 800 right behind. Chutes up and the breeze increases...and then WHAM! The squall line of breeze hits, possibly 30+ knots. Scott makes a good run for the leeward mark which we can no longer lay. Geoff got by Sharon when she had a halyard problem. Scott was the first to get his jibe up, drops the chute and hardened up for the mark. Steiner follows, but Tom passes by holding the chute a little longer. Chute down, jib up and going for the mark. Eiselle still couldn't get his down due to the stopper ball on the sheet being jammed in the jaws of the pole.

The R/C was trying to finish the race at this mark but couldn't get it together in time so we all rounded. With a big shift to the south, everyone one was reaching for the weather mark...rail down. Then the R/C decided to abandon the race...too much carnage on the course. Especially for only one chase boat.

Oh yes, in the beginning I did mention swim, didn't I? Bill Davis was on the bow of 980 in middle of a jibe when the blast came through. He would like everyone to know that having both hands on the spinnaker pole when the boat rounds up is not advisable. With the spreaders in the water (as well as Bill), the boat finally righted and off down the course they went trying to get the chute down. Andy was finally able to get the chute down and get back up the course and retrieve their fallen hero.

Several very important notes of interest...with all this breeze, the entire load of your spinnaker halyard is on the lip of the cuddy while in the jam cleat. On the older boats, this lip will fail. Especially when combined with the high loads of the jib halyard. Check it out!!!

New Fleet 20 members!!!! As mentioned, Jeff Devers will be buying 1090 from Robert....and yes, Robert has a new boat being delivered. USA 1225 "Fathom This" should be arriving in time for the Piana Cup. Also, Jim Batts with USA 1155 is moving from Macatawa, MI to Palm Beach and will be joining us. Welcome aboard, Jeff and Jim and congratulations to Robert on his new boat.

Next race, CRYC, Sunday November 4th....11:30 start. See you on the line!