MARRIOTT WINS VOODOO

Pete Marriott with crew Lauren and Randy Beauchamp won the 2004 VooDoo Regatta at Lake Norman Yacht Club.  For Marriott, it was the second straight win in the young 2004 SELD season. 

The wind would not cooperate on Saturday.  After waiting two hours for something to develop, we headed out on a wisp of wind and a prayer as a few knots of breeze seemed to develop.  It quickly died and we sat at the mercy of the power boaters who churned Lake Norman into a something akin to a harbor chop.  It wasn't long before everyone had their sails down and soon more sailors were swimming than sitting in boats!  John Holmes and Avis Bridger invented a new version of Master and Commander. It started out as paddle splashing, but soon it was a true team event as skippers manned their tillers, mid-crew took up paddles, and fore-crew manned sixteen pound cannons [aka the bailing bucket].    Soon after, the RC mercifully called it a day and towed everyone in.  The eleven boats who arrived to sail had to be content with relaxing at the clubhouse, eating hamburgers, and drinking suds.  Bob Harkrider brought his mobile satellite TV and many enjoyed watching the races at Charlotte Motor Speedway late into the night.

The race committee called for an 8:55 start Sunday morning in hopes of salvaging the regatta. 

The wind began to fill, and by 8:55 the 4-6 knot breezes in flat water were a blessing.  The RC set a short MWL course in hopes of getting as many races in as possible.  Marriott put up two aces to take an early lead   In race three, Pete hit the windward mark with his chute and had to turn circles.  He finished with a four.  Bob Harkrider posted the win to set up an interesting finish.  In the fourth race, the RC called for a twice a round.  John Pelosi put a horizon job on everyone.  By the second lap, the wind was fading and the powerboats were back.  Harkrider took a seven while Pete finished in the top three to win the event.  We thanked our blessings for a great morning of racing and headed in.

Carter Utzig sailed a very consistent regatta finishing third behind Pete and Bob.

Ron Wright

2004 VooDoo Regatta
Lake Norman, NC
May 21-22, 2004