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From: Rand Arnold (rand@lanminds.com)
Date: Mon 21 Jun 1999 - 17:58:02 BST
This past weekend was Father's Day weekend her in the states, don't know
if this day is observed elsewhere, but here it is where Dad gets a new
tie from the kids, or a golf ball or something like that.
But in sailing circles, it means racing!
The Small Boat Racing Association of Northern California (SBRA) was
celebrating the 40th anniversary of racing on Clear Lake north of San
Fracisco. Clear Lake is a lake that was probably once clear, but now is
mostly green, but is still a wonderful place to sail, warm, sunny and no
wet suits!
Five 14's made the trek of windy mountain roads to what has also become
the Northern California Fleet Championship. This 31 year old trophy was
awarded last year at Clear Lake after a 16 year hiatus, while it lay
hidden in Eric Arens' home.
Race one found the fleet's newest boat (James Beninghaus/Jonathon
Hoffberg, USA 1140) still on the dock, as they took a lazy trip the lake
on Saturday morning, so just three boats followed Rand Arnold/Kurt
Schmidt around the course in Heroine, GBR 1341 for a wire to wire win.
Eric Arens was spotted twice dangling his feet over the bow of USA 1115
fixing the spinnaker umbilical while Alan "Grandpa" Laflin sat on the
trasom. Just as Arnold/Schmidt crossed the line (by about a foot!)
Heroine added dramatic sound effects to the simulated gun that the race
committee gave, when her main sail clew became disconnected from the boom
and crashed down onto the deck! If it had happened only a moment sooner,
first would have been out of grasp.
Race two found Beninghaus/Hoffberg making a spectacular attempt at a port
end start on a short line, resulting in a capsize to avoid Andrew
Minkowitz/Walter Heym (USA 1124) who had definite rights by being on
Starboard tack... Laflin/Arens went on to win the race with
Arnold/Schmmidt crossing second, Minkowitz/Heym Third, Kirk and Lisa
Twardowski (USA 1071) fourth and a wet Beninghaus/Hoffberg bringing up
the rear.
Race three and the wind was up! Well at least from the morning light
stuff, comfortable two wiring, and James had his boat moving more like it
is supposed to. At the end it wast Beninghaus/Hoffberg, Minkowitz/Heym,
Laflin/Arens, Arnold/Schmidt and the Twardowski's who had suffered some
kite problems.
Race four on Sunday morning was again light, but enough to keep you
exercising your knees on the wire. The first lap was close racing amongst
all five boats, but on the second lap, Arnold/Schmidt broke right and
picked up a little better breeze and a small shift to put three minutes
on second place Beninghause/Hoffberg at the weather mark. After picking
up another minute on the downwind leg, and another minute 20 second on
the last short beat to the finish Heroine was the first boat with two
firsts, and over a 5 minute margin of victory.
Race five was a little lighter than race four, and the wind would not
stay still, in fact there was a 45 degree shift to the left during the
last few seconds before the start. As the fleet approached the weather
mark the wind went right, further confusing things. The last run found
Arnold/Schmidt in first at the weather mark following the lone 49'er to
the wrong side of the course. As they jibed to the left, Minkowitz/Heym
did a jibe set at the mark, and roared off into the lead. Luck was with
the Heroine crew, as Minkowitz picked the wrong jibe angle and allowed
Heroine to sneak past at the leward mark. Then they tacked for the left
side and promptly let the rest of the fleet sail by!
Final results:
GBR 1341 "Heroine" Rand Arnold/Kurt Schmidt
USA 1115 Alan Laflin/Eric Arens
USA 1140 "Purple Jesus" James Beninghaus/Jonathan Hoffberg
USA 1124 "Road Rash" Andrew Minkowitz/Walter Heym
USA 1071 "Super Soaker" Kirk and Lisa Twardowkski
If you missed this regatta you missed one of the best sailing venue#185#s in
Northern California (unless you desire cold water and cold wind that is)
See you there next year!
<p>Rand
<p>_________________________
Rand Arnold
International 14 USA 1106
"Something About Kate"
rand@lanminds.com
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