SEPT 28TH RACE REPORT

The final race was officiated by Jim & Mimi Riffle, Donna Mount and Bob Orben to whom we are very grateful.  Jim Riffle and Tom Schroeder set up the short course correctly anticipating low wind conditions.  Race Chairman Kevin Preuss organized the race.  Thanks everyone!

Only about five sailors braved the low wind conditions.  The wind did show up in time for the start, and picked up as the sailors approached the first mark.  The dangerous all-female team of Catey Hale and Arlene Truex were first to feel the accelerating wind and skillfully "threaded the needle" by squeezing between the first mark and Tom Schroeder's boat with only inches, maybe less, to spare.

Approaching the second mark, Catey and Arlene stayed closer to the "rhumb line" than Tom (yes, nautical term lesson time: the rhumb line is the direct line between turn markers.  When tacking back and forth between markers, you normally do not want to stray too far from the rhumb line) .  Although this did not appear to be a significant difference in course at the time, it proved to be the winning move of the race.  They were able to get just far enough ahead of Tom that they caught the last decent breeze of the race, getting them through the finish line wile Tom, Sherri and Kevin sat windless for a very, very, very  long period of time.

During that time, with no wind to allow him to control his boat,  Tom drifted so far toward the shore that he dropped his sails, fired up his trolling motor and headed for his dock.  Before doing so, he took the suggestion of mischievous onlookers (spouses of the other sailors who will remain nameless) and motored through the finish line just for fun.  The officiating volunteers denied him the satisfaction of the horn-toot that finishers receive as they cross the finish line.  Satisfied with its victory over Tom's patience, the devilish wind picked up enough to get Sherri and Kevin through the finish line.

Race results were as follows:
Laser: 1st Place: Kevin Preuss
Butterfly: 1st Place: Sherri Agnew
International: Catey Hale/Arlene Truex 1st Place, Tom Schroeder disqualified for using his trolling motor to finish.

All headed to the Truex's for the final protest meeting and awards gathering - see separate post.