2004 Konigsberg Memorial Regatta

West River Sailing Club, Galesville, MD

Sept. 18-19

You must have often wondered what it would have beeen like in old 
Russia to race a Jet 14 against Ivan the Terrible?  "Terrible," you ask.  
"Terrible," I answer, even if Ivan were in his dotage.  But also terrifyingly 
exhilarating, not to say wet, I would imagine.  How terrifying, how 
wet,  you can envisage from these average wind and gust velocities off 
Annapolis:

The first gun for the Jets, Flying Scots, and Lasers was schedule for 
1100.  Crafty old Ivan had lulled us into overconfidence with those 
gentle whispering winds whistling in the rigging in the early hours before the 
race.  Ivan began to snarl a bit, but it was ignored by a fleet caught 
up in enjoying a sense of blissful well being.  A sense so great that the 
participants and the race committee agreed to enjoy it and delay the 
start to around noon.

 Eleven Lasers launched, including a large contingent from the Naval 
Academy intent on upholding the Navy's traditional willingness to "go 
in harms way."  All but one Scott had wisely decided to enjoy the moment 
at home, and he did not want to risk a DNF.   Six Jets had answered the 
morning roll call. Four answered the call to duty .... the two Kennedy 
boats opted for a form of sick leave.   (You see why I speak of 
"imagining" conditions in the first paragraph.)   The only crew with a history of 
real sea duty  and actually sailing in harms way, Mac and Frank eventually 
decided Jet scantlings fell a little short of battleship standards, and 
that their experience rated at least command of a cruiser in the 
conditions, so turned around before reaching the course.  Randy had 
recently read the book, "Gentlemen Never Sail to Windward," and didn't 
try, deciding that it was better to show a new crew how exciting it was 
planing back and forth in front of the club house with spray flying up to the 
spreaders rather than have him experience the traumatic satisfaction of 
recovering from a turtled position at the jibe mark.

That left Parramore and Reshetiloff to do battle against each other and 
Ivan.  I don't really know the origins of Ted's family name, but from 
reading "War and Peace," it sounds Russian to me.  He is a sensible 
fellow, so perhaps his inclination towards violence grows out of a desire to 
revenge some ancient atrocity Czar Ivan committed against the 
Reshetiloff's, perhaps the dastardly pillaging of the family vodka 
stock.  How he convinced Pete Appell to participate in this vendetta, I 
don't know. As for Michael, all I can figure that guided him was a 
desire to try out new transom bailers and to demonstrate by Laurie's agile 
competence how critical crew work is to survival in heavy air.

From this point on I could only from time to time when the mist parted 
a lot of Lasers popping up and down in the gusts.  So I turn you over to 
our one-race regatta winner, Michael for the battle particulars:

==========

While Mr. Kennedy's assumptions were well spirited regarding dodging 
another hurricane this year for the Konigsberg, (last year, this 
regatta got cancelled due to Isabel) I dare say that Ivan was very much with us 
when Saturday morning dawned to  30 plus knots out of the north and 
rain.

Not to be deterred by said distractions, 6 boats showed up to 
race with 4 heading out to the course. by the start of the first race, Gobi, 
a wood boat with bags (NOT TANKS) flipped and managed to right and  start 
(with the help of the largest holes caved in the transom allowed by the 
class) while guessing at the time the flag would come down with Ted 
Reshetiloff and Pete Appell  in #1149. While #1149 was going quite 
lovely on starboard on the left side of the course , "Gobi" obviously not 
having enough of the pressure continued out to the right for more of it. This 
resulted in both boats showing up at the windward mark at the same time 
with "Sam Mcgee" inside.  Sam successfully held off "Gobi" until the 
leeward mark when both boats got hit by a Oh,.. 27 knot gust at which 
both boats looked at the mark and were reminded that it was time to GYBE. 
"Sam" did so and turtled, #544 did so and did not.  Laurie, as usual, was the 
one most responsible for keeping Gobi upright.  Both boats completed the 
race, at which time "Gobi" asked "Sam" if they would like another. They 
replied "yes," but after getting hit by another 27 knotter,"Sam" retracted 
their statement, at which time both boats retired and had a wonderful ride 
back to the dock.

At which time "Sam" Keeping with tradition started by DK at 
the Annual, capsized the boat again "to get the mud off the main."  All 
crews adjourned to the clubhouse in which we partook of bourbon soaked beef 
and beverages and hung the new Irey half model on the wall.

Along about 7:30 pm, Mr Schwenk called to inquire as to 
whether any Jets sailed and was quite surprised to find out we had, to inform 
us that he had the hottie crew of his law partner's at nationals, and to 
find out how many points he would need to defend the cup on Sunday. I 
inquired about his pre-regatta announcement that he was re-christening his ride 
but was rebuffed for now.

[Editor's note:  Dirk's wisdom in staying home was based on sound 
weather forecasting and expectations (however much flying in the face of 
reality) that Jet sailors might tend toward the rational.  I probably encouraged 
him in that misconception by calling him before the regatta to get the 
exact wording of Jet guidelines for starting races in high winds.  His 
reply:  "The Race Committee will not start a race if there are 
sustained winds or repetitive gusts of 20 knots or above.  Determination of wind 
speed shall be at the discretion of the Race Committee.  Safety 
first!."  What better advice could you hope for from a marine ambulance 
chaser?  But the enthusiasm of the moment and an unfounded expectation 
and hope for moderating conditions prevailed until ordered thought 
processes took command.]

Sunday did dawn with more of the same,  [But with the addition of 
small-craft warnings, although winds dropped to near 10 in the late 
afternoon. Ed.]  Max Reshetiloff was sick so "Sammy" was out. That left 
MacMurray and Gobi, and then along rolls Mentesana... we all agreed to 
cancel.

So, MacMurray got third for showing up both days and Bruns got the 
president's trophy for making it out the course the first day but 
because he did not show the second day, He now has been demoted to President 's 
division and will receive the trophies to honor such demotion. 
Regretfully,.. "Gobi" has also had to renew his membership in the  
FNBRMB* as a result of this regatta... I do not believe Ivan's name is going on 
this trophy...

Many thanks to Dick Kennedy for putting on the event..

Michael

*Founding Members of the Noble Brotherhood of Recovering Mast Benders

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Results Posted 9/29/04

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