2006 Wren Regatta

Hunterdon SC, Clinton NJ

July 22-23

The 2006 Wren Regatta was held July 22 – 23.  The Saturday event was split into two divisions, Junior Skipper and Novice Skipper.  With tropical storm Beryl well to the north and east of HSC, the fleet assembled on Saturday morning under the threat of severe thunderstorms and began the rigging process.

Connor Schwenk brought his father Dirk from Annapolis (word is dad drove, although judging from the condition of Dirk’s mast this is just speculation), the Japikse clan; Dave, Dan and Matt; and Dean and Kelly Whalen traveled from upstate NY to compete in this year’s competition.  The local competitors were juniors Lucy and Simon Bertocci and novice skippers Jianming Maio and Elliot Zimmerman.  The race committee, headed by Charlie Engler, set a short triangular course just off the launch area to accommodate a quick exit in the event the predicted storms rolled through.  Five races were held in 5 to 10 knots of breeze. In the Junior Skipper event, the Bertocci and Schwenk programs were tied going into the last race when both boats were over early and had to restart.  Lucy and Simon ground back through the fleet to win the race and the event.  Well done!  Dan and Matt Japikse were very consistent, flew their kite well and are looking forward to Junior Nationals.

On the Novice side of the event, HSC’s Jianming Maio improved throughout the day to post a one point win over Kelly Whalen driving their immaculately prepared 716, and to my knowledge never needing to push the “panic button” installed on the centerboard trunk – they’ll be at Nationals, take a look in the dinghy park if you get a chance.    

With thunder beginning to rumble by, racing was called for the day.  The travelers spent the afternoon taking in a movie, roaming historic Chatham, NJ and gathering at the campsite.  Connor particularly enjoyed a campfire complete with marshmallows with his fellow skippers. 

Sunday promised better weather and a nice 5 – 10 for the Open event.  After coffee, doughnuts, and juice on shore, eight jets headed out at 10 AM with hopes of getting off three quick races before lunch.  The promised breeze never arrived, and when it did it came from every point on the compass, taxing the “lake sailing” skills of all.  Guido Bertocci took over the helm from his daughter Lucy, Charlie Engler stepped out of the committee boat to sail with Anita DeMatteo, Charlie and Joanna Smith put 1151 in the water, Brent Benson sailed with fellow Lake Nockamixon sailor Warren Mangan and Caleb Zimmerman took the stick from his father.  Dave Japikse drove with son Matt in race 1, son Dan in race 2, and the boys took control for races 3 and 4 leaving dad on shore!  Dean Whalen moved to the rear of the boat and Kelly handled the front end. 

The race committee set a long triangular course for the morning session putting a premium on being on the correct side and looking up the course to link what puffs there were together.  Once again, the Bertocci and Schwenk programs were locked in a tight battle at the lunch break.  But with the prospects of a long drive home, the Schwenks packed it in opening the door for the rest of the fleet.  The afternoon session brought out the rest of the HSC fleets (Lasers, Force 5’s, Flying Scots, Albacores and Sunfish) to join the Jets, unfortunately the wind stayed light and variable.  The course was expanded to a triangle/windward leeward configuration.  The Smith’s got in gear and lead at the windward and wing marks in both races only to be reeled in by the fleet.  In the final accounting the Bertoccis posted a 4 point win, with Charlie Engler and Anita DeMatteo placing second and the Smiths taking third on a tie-breaker with the Benson/Mangan boat.

By virtue of their victory, Guido and Simon Bertocci also won the NJYRA Jet 14 Championship for 2006.

All told, despite the weather all participants had a great time.  I was particularly pleased by the performance of the junior skippers on Saturday.  On a day when conditions could have deteriorated quickly, these young sailors were eager to participate, handled their boats well and really seemed to enjoy the competition.  As for the novice skippers, I think all of them learned a great deal from the event, as did their more experienced crews who got a taste of what goes on at the front of the boat.

Thanks to those who traveled to this event and to the locals who helped to make our guests at home, and I hope to see more of you next year.

Charlie Smith

Results Posted 7/27/06

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