2006 Sandusky One Design

June has been a busy month here in Ohio with two big regattas at Mansfield and Cleveland.  This past weekend a bunch of us made the trip to Sandusky Sailing Club, site of the 2008 Jet 14 Nationals, for the club's One Design Regatta.

The Jet Class will not be disappointed with Sandusky or its sailing club.  The community is similar to Island Heights, NJ, featuring lakeside resorts and a rich sailing history.  The area was immortalized in the early 20th century novel Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson.  On the race course you can sight the windward mark under various roller coaster rides and thrills of the worlds largest collection of roller coasters, Cedar Point.  On this particular Saturday, the wind came from the Northeast carrying the toots and choo-choos of the Park's "Frontier Train."    

The Jets were given a start on the same course as Interlakes, Flying Scots and Portsmouth.  Winds were forecasted to be 10 knots but as usual on Lake Erie, forecasts are always optimistic.  We sailed in around 2-8 knots, of course depending what holes on the race course you found.  To sum things up, none of the competitors sailed the course "hole-free."  Windward legs would featured 100-plus gear changes and himming/hawwing "should we tack now."

In the first race the Michoses on #217 were somehow launched on the first beat while the rest of the fleet foundered, tacking from hole to hole.  Such luck only lasted one race and things were much tighter the rest of the regatta.  The Zauggs in #1132 managed to win the next two races while the Michoses, Bakers #443, Irelands #1134 and Tom Joudrey and crew Kit in #120 battled for second.  Each of us could say at some point, "We're killing the fleet" and only moments later ask "What happened?"

In the final race, the Zauggs appeared to have the race won going downwind on the second of three legs.  Michoses trailed, got a puff they jibed in and led at the leeward mark.  Then Ivan and Andy Baker crept in at the top of the final leg to finish second in the race.

Thanks to the Sandusky Sailing Club for its great Race Committee work, hospitality and encouragement.  We look forward to an even bigger showing next year and a tremendous 2008 Jet 14 Nationals.

Dave Michos, #217