SILENT? SYMPHONY ON THE WATER: September 23rd Race Report

We had the best sailing winds of the season, which for 2018 is saying something. It made for an exciting race, capsize-recovery practice for one racer, and a better impression than our first race for one of our volunteers.  And we welcomed back Elizabeth Hale for her first race of the season, crewing for Catey Hale.

Thanks to Committee Boat volunteers Beth Auld, Bob Orben, Margaret Powers and Mimi Riffle.  And to Jim Riffle who provided a safety boat.  Thanks to Matt Bartlett and Arlene Truex for setting up a great race course, and Arlene for hosting the protest meeting after the race.

Her first volunteer experience was on a very hot May day with little wind and a boring, long, drawn out first race, and the second race cancelled for lack of wind. So we were pleased that for Margaret Powers return, we had excellent fairly steady winds that provided a “silent symphony on the water” as Jim Voelz puts it.  All those sails synchronized by the reality of the wind direction, but in competition, searching for the best position and angle.  Silent?  Well, maybe if you are observing from quite a distance.  There are SAILORS in those boats after all.  For instance, the sound of wind coming out of sails would be "Awwww MAN!"...or something like that, probably a lot "saltier".    A narrow starting line provided for additional excitement (and lack of silence) for the Committee Boat volunteers at the starts. 

One exception to the steady winds was the last mark, well into the large inlet north of the main lake.  There the wind became intermittent, and when a breeze developed its direction was somewhat unpredictable, and seldom from a direction that facilitated getting around the mark easily. One successful tactic was to get enough boat speed in whatever direction the wind allowed when there was a breeze.  Then when the wind died, change course and use your momentum to improve your position relative to the mark. Gain momentum, turn, coast, repeat.

No one else capsized, so Laura Garrett was either pushing it to the limit, or practicing her capsize recovery skills.  She capsized five times.  But she’s got the recovery routine down to a science.  She was able to climb over the gunwale and onto the centerboard each time, and flip herself back into her righted Laser without getting wet even once.

Capsized, but dry

1^st place finishers in the two races included John Auld/Paul Hass (in both races in their class and overall) Matt Bartlett and Laura Garrett.

Race Results:

First Race

Laser Class:  Matt Bartlett 1st, Kevin Preuss 2^nd, Laura Garrett 3^rd

International Class: John Auld/Paul Hass 1^st, Catey/Elizabeth Hale 2^nd, Tom Schroeder/Phil Bush 3^rd.

Overall on Handicapped Basis (not for scoring) John Auld/Paul Hass 1^st, Catey/Elizabeth Hale 2^nd, Matt Bartlett 3^rd, Tom Schroeder/Phil Bush 4^th, Kevin Preuss 5^th, Laura Garrett 6^th.

Second Race

Laser Class: Laura Garrett 1^st, Matt Bartlett 2^nd, Kevin Preuss 3^rd 

International Class:  John Auld/Paul Hass 1^st, Tom Schroeder/Phil Bush 2^nd, Catey/Elizabeth Hale 3^rd.

Overall on Handicapped Basis (not for scoring) John Auld/Paul Hass 1^st, Tom Schroeder/Phil Bush 2^nd, Laura Garrett 3^rd, Matt Bartlett 4^th, Catey/Elizabeth Hale 5^th, Kevin Preuss 6^th, 

LABOR DAY BREAKFAST AT THE CORDS' AND RUSSELLS'

We enjoyed a large gathering of lot owners, their families and friends in the beautiful setting of the adjoining lots of John and Gwen Cord and Bill and Nan Russell.  Thank you Cords and Russells!  We welcomed new lot owners Chris & Carol Fread- lot 294, Joe & Lisa Conner-lot 300 and William & Rebecca DeVries - lot 90.

In the spirit of Labor Day, we recognized the labors of those who have made Grandview Lake such a great place:  Past and present board members, committee members, volunteers and staff members.  Special thanks were given to Frank Reindl & Peggy Voelz, coming off the board after two, three year terms each. We recounted the significant efforts each have driven, and the fine manner in which they were accomplished, involving many others. We also enjoyed watching the kayak and paddleboard race – see separate post.

KAYAK AND PADDLE BOARD RACE

Matt Bartlett, Jason Carroll and Rieanna Simpson were 1st place winners in the paddle board, men's kayak, and women's kayak races respectively.  Thanks to Max Henry for coordinating and officiating the race, and providing prizes to winners. 

Max (far right under the unicorn) points out the turn markers to participants

It was a very competitive and spirited group.

And they are off!

Jason (left) and Matt (right) dig hard in a close finish (Matt finished first). Jason was 1st in men's kayak, and Matt was 1st in paddle board.

2nd place winners were Steve Willment, Jocelyn Carroll, and Ryan Kitchell in the paddle board, women's kayak and men's kayak races respectively.  Also racing were Max Kitchell and Evan Linville.

Ryan in foreground finishes 2nd in men's kayak. Above him Rieanna finishes 1st in women's kayak. Steve, upper left finished 2nd in paddle board.