2008 Mohican Chiefs Regatta

Mohican Sailing Club, Mansfield OH

June 7-8

It was hot.  The Forecast was for the low 90's both days and rain/storms on Saturday, and not much in the way of wind.  We got overcast skys all day Saturday, with highs just into the mid/high 80's...and 3-12 knots.  Sunday was sunny and hot, it did hit 90 by the time the last boat left, but a 5-14 knot breeze that was blowing from sun up on made it less than overbearing.

But the true measure, as always, is who came and how much fun we had.  It was a great turn out of 17 boats.  We got in 7 races, 4 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday, and while no one had a perfect outing (four different crews managed a race win and the eventual regatta winners did not put up any firsts) and there were a couple capsizes and the usual keel hauled spinnakers and knocks in the head by the boom, we saw happy faces throughout the fleet, from the time they arrived until the last boat left on Sunday.

The only disappointment was we had several guests lined up to sail Jets for the first time and all of them had to cancel at the very last moment.  We made some great contacts however and they were each very grateful to be invited and it is for sure that we will get them to join us for a race sometime in the very near future.

We did have guests, Class Webb editor Chris and Paula Hennon were up and sailed #120 while they completed work on their wood boat project, #483.  They are doing a beautiful restoration and with a ton of hard work and a little luck we will get to see them in it at the Sandusky Nationals.  Stewart and Thomas Fitzgibbon sailed #324 which should be the last time for them in a borrowed boat as the last rigging is going on their new #1161 as we speak.

The racing was tough as is born out by the somewhat inconsistent scores of most boats.  The wind direction, across the lake made for short close racing on Sunday.  Both days had BIG shifts and BIG velocity changes across the course.  Bryan and Tiffany Parker were looking scary all weekend, with the most firsts and most horizon jobs.  The other coast to coast out of sight win was by Wes Blazer and Ryan Kyle. 

The first race on Sunday was quite a free for all.  Mohican’s Chad Clark and Dave Crist squeezed in front of a tightly packed fleet at the first mark.  Then after about ten lead changes dug out of the mess for a well earned 2^nd.  Bradley Koinis did have a guest crew onboard, Joe, and they were coming on at the end steady with two fourths.

The good thing about such variable conditions is that everybody has some good moments, which was the case at Mohican this weekend.  The down side is that nearly everyone has some stinkers, which was also the case.  Such is the nature of our sport.  The big news of course is the crew that is able to over come all the above and show up at the very front of the fleet in nearly every race.  Nate Ireland and Ben Stock were that boat and from the sounds of things have been at every regatta they’ve sailed this year.  Our hats off to a beautifully sailed series. They are both model competitors on and off the water.

The season is really just getting into full swing.  Don’t miss out on the fun.  See you on the water and for sure at the Nationals in Sandusky.

Results Posted 6/18/2008

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