Lake Norman Labor Day Regatta
There was a long layover between the SELD Championships in June and the Augusta Invitational in September so John, Tom and I decided to race the Lake Norman Labor Day Regatta. It was multi-class fleet and the Lightnings field five boats: Pete Marriott, Sam Booke, Carter Utzig, Dave Raley, and us. Saturday yielded up fantastic winds and quality sailing. There were three races. In two of the three we were in second place until the last beat and managed to fall to 4 and 3 respectively. We finished the day in fifth but only two points off the pace. That led to Sunday. We hit the line in light wind. As soon as we could clear the fleet we tacked to port. Marriott had already tacked to port and gone way right. The other three boats stayed left. We decided to stay near the middle of the course so as soon as we had clear air Tom called a tack back to port. It was the great call of the regatta. It didn't take long to realize we were in breeze everyone else was not in. We smoked the fleet to the windward mark. We held our lead through faltering breezes to the leeward mark. One more mark and our first bullet at a traveling regatta would be in the bank.
Boom, Boom! We couldn't believe it. The race committee called the race. We just stared in disbelief. All the times we sat in the back of a light air fleet watching others make a finish line and here was our chance. It wasn't to be. We had to return home knowing we had been in first or second place most of the regatta - just never at the finish line.
Regardless, it was a great weekend. Anytime September serves up winds like we had on Saturday, you know you've been blessed. Thanks to all the LNYC gang for a great time.