Vicki Palmer, Windward Leg Editor

windwardlegeditor@gmail.com

By John Butine, ISCA Chief Measurer

Vol 5

The Measurement Checklist

If you haven’t attended a major ISCA event like the World or North American Championships, or you have but are curious about how many boats don’t “measure up,” this edition will give you some insight.  

The measurement process for our Class is very straightforward with a minimal amount of time commitment for the sailor. Other Classes can be more involved. I had the opportunity to assist the Lightning class for their North American Championship in 2023. The Lightning selects a handful of items within their rules to check. At a minimum, this includes boat all-up weight, centerboard angle, safety equipment and sails. The combined time per boat for all these checks was between 30-60 minutes. For ISCA the total time can be as little as 5 minutes. Unlike other Classes, ISCA inspects the boats in a “sail ready” condition. That means sail up, rudder attached and mainsheet connected with your PFD and compass, if used, available for inspection.

The form for the 2024 ISCA Worlds at Rush Creek Yacht Club in Texas is shown in the image below. All the items listed are what the measurement team will be looking for during the inspection. The two items that will get a physical measurement are the daggerboard and rudder angle. The daggerboard must fit into a jig that checks for blade thickness, draft and fore-and-aft profile. For the rudder, the angle between the leading edge and the chine of the hull is checked with a template, ensuring the angle is 120 degrees or greater.

At the North American Championship in Lavallette, NJ, this year, I’m happy to report that nearly all of the 105 boats registered measured in cleanly. The percentage of boats that needed to make corrections on various inspection items were as follows:

Certified WS Plaque   Rule 2.5     6%         missing or newer LP boat with falsified plaque

Daggerboard              Rule 3.2.5   3%         missing or non-legal deck stopper

Rudder                       Rule 3.3      5%         angle too shallow, corrected with shim.

Traveler wire              Rule 3.7.6   2%         removes rope bridle.

Here are some additional comments on items that will be inspected.

• Sheets, halyards & lines (Rule 3.7) -- Lines must be of uniform diameter. Splicing or tapering are not permitted.
• Sail (Rule 3.6)    -- The sail must be builder supplied or from the Class approved supplier. The sail must have the Class logo on the 4^th panel from the bottom and sail numbers of proper size and position.
• Navigation devices (Rule 3.1.9)  -- Digital compasses are permitted provided they only have magnetic input. GPS capable devices are not permitted.

I hope this edition of our “Does Your Boat Measure Up?” series was insightful. Thank you to all the sailors in our Class for making their boats Class-legal for racing!

Sept. 6-8, 2024 – The Dinghy Shop, Amityville, NY

by Vicki Palmer

Just having taken a breath after running a successful Youth North American Championship, Jim Koehler, owner of The Dinghy Shop, put on another winning event with 51 female competitors sailing for the gold. In this particular case, “the gold” refers to the coveted Linda Tillman Women’s North American Championship perpetual trophy. With two of Linda’s daughters, Susan Tillman-Berg and Libbie Fitzgerald, sailing in this event, honoring Linda’s memory was made more complete. Linda is the role model we all aspire to be both on and off the water - an extraordinary woman and highly skilled champion. It’s our privilege to honor Linda’s memory.

Gail Murphy Heausler took her own kind of extraordinary to a new level by winning yet another Women’s North American Championship, her 5^th. Gail is a heavy-air champion who makes it look easy. How she surfs over tall waves and knows exactly when to tack or gybe to stay at the front of the fleet is a skill many of us have tried to absorb. By osmosis doesn’t work. It takes stamina, courage and years of practice, practice, practice. Gail also serves on the USSCA Board of Directors as the Women’s Event Coordinator and already has the 2025 Women’s North American Championship on the schedule – Wawasee Yacht Club, Syracuse, IN, Sept. 5-7. 2025.

Congratulations to all of the competitors who made this such a successful event. No one knows how to have more fun at an event than women sailors who come off the water tired but who get a burst of energy that carries them through an evening full of fun and laughter. 

And a special Thank You to Jim Koehler and everyone who helped Jim make this such a special event. We hope the hammock he relaxes in for the next few days is tethered between two trees in his favorite, quiet spot. ENJOY your post-regatta time, Jim!

Pos, Sail, Boat, Skipper, Yacht Club, Results, Total Points
1. 3868, Gail Warnings, Gail Heausler, Davis Island Yacht Club, 8-1-4-1-5-1-3-2-2-2-1-[22]- ; 30   
 2. 78065, , Taylor Eastman, Hyannis Port YC, 1-[52/DSQ]-1-24-1-2-1-1-1-4-5-4- ; 45   
 3. 4872, S. S. Mola Mola, Kimmy Jackman, Bantam Lake Yacht Club, [17]-6-2-5-2-4-6-15-10-1-3-1- ; 55   
 4. 5200, Regnad lll, Betsy Davis, Lavallette Yacht Club, [14]-2-3-2-6-11-8-10-3-14-4-8- ; 71   
 5. 82634, , Emily Wagner, Davis Island YC, 3-11-11-4-[16]-5-5-8-16-9-6-5- ; 83   
 6. 80361, , Gretchen Seymour, Lake Bluff Yacht Club, 4-3-[18]-9-7-16-14-9-9-7-2-6- ; 86   
 7. 81743, KAMMA, Kerry Gendron, One15 Brooklyn Sail Club, 11-18-7-[21]-8-10-7-5-7-3-8-7- ; 91   
 8. 81135, Bubbles, Mary Ellen Brown, Sarasota SS & Rochester CC, 2-7-8-[52/DSQ]-9-3-4-13-15-15-15-2- ; 93   
 9. 81339, , Susan Tillman Berg, Wawasee Yacht Club, 6-8-[24]-8-15-21-10-7-6-10-9-3- ; 103   
 10. 103, Mola Mola, Caitlin Cummings, Breakwater Yacht Club, 19-13-5-3-3-17-13-3-8-16-[26]-9- ; 109   
 11. 80547, Sunfish, Libbie Tillman FitzGerald, Wawasee Yacht Club, 16-4-[30]-13-10-8-12-6-4-6-22-12- ; 113   
 12. 3856, , Lindsay Brink, Babylon YC/Wet Pants Sailing Ass’n, 15-[29]-10-14-11-14-15-11-12-23-11-11-; 147   
 13. 88436, TGA, Nancy Jaywork, Rehoboth Bay Sailong Assoc, 9-15-9-7-12-15-11-25-22-8-16-[26]- ; 149   
 14. 79023, Zippy, Doris Aschman, Saunderstown YC, [24]-17-6-6-4-23-18-16-11-17-24-14- ; 156   
 15. 55, Jinx, Mary Kalich, Mattituck Yacht Club, 13-12-22-11-21-9-9-21-13-12-[27]-23- ; 166   

Thank you to Harry Manko for the fantastic photos!

Want to thank Jim and Sue from Dinghy Shop for hosting a great Women's NA. Thanks to Race Committee, safety boats and Lee for the running commentary as well. It was really inspiring to my daughter seeing this whole crew really doing this for themselves and helping each other. Way different vibes than the standard regatta she sails, really looking forward to more women's specific events. Thank you all again! @dinghyshopintl  M. Troast

Aug. 10-11, 2024 – Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association – Dewey, DE

by Rob Lackey

The first 2024 Championship Regatta for the Mid-Atlantic Region was hosted by the Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association in Dewey, Delaware on August 10-11.  The Rehoboth Bay is known as the premier dinghy sailing venue for the mid-Atlantic region, owing to its expanse, depth, lack of tidal currents, reliable conditions and beauty.  

In the days preceding the event, fears of excessive winds from hurricane Debby proved unfounded and were replaced by fears of not enough wind.  Ultimately, despite the light winds shifting around over 200 degrees throughout the day, under the expert direction of PRO Bill Colgan, the Race Committee was able to complete 5 races on day 1.  Less shifty but still light wind conditions allowed an additional three races on day 2.   In the end, it was Betsy Davis of Lavallette Yacht Club who took first place and a bid to the 2025 Worlds with four bullets and 15 points.  In a close second only three points behind was Class Secretary Mary Ellen Brown who had three bullets.  Third place was wrapped-up by (Richard) “Mickey” Kalich, whose mom, Mary Kalich scored the only other bullet and placed fifth overall.  Jim Knab placed 4th, John Barrere 6th, and the Class Region Representative Connie Miller placed 7th.  

In a cautionary tale, Richard Long had to race in borrowed boats after the crossbar for his vehicle’s car top roof rack separated from the rack in a gust of wind, sending his Sunfish to a crashing ruin on the highway (thankfully, no vehicles were damaged; no people injured).  

Connie Miller leads in the first downwind leg of Race 7.  Here is a link to a short video from which this photo was captured: https://youtu.be/2r2F3X7bOT8 

Bay Shore Yacht Club | August 17-18, 2024

Sunfish (29 boats) 
 Series Standing - 5 races scored
 

Pos,Sail, Skipper, Results, Total Points
 1. 81334, Griffin Sisk, 1-3-1-[4]-2- ; 7T   
 2. 82634, lee Montes [Master], 2-2-2-1-[5]- ; 7T   
 3. 33, Richard Kalich, [13]-1-4-7-1- ; 13   
 4. 1818, Nicholas Patin, [6]-5-3-2-4- ; 14   
 5. 11020, Keelyn Brink, 4-4-5-3-[9]- ; 16   
 6. 78242, Ryan Messina[Apprentice Master], 8-6-6-[12]-3- ; 23   
 7. 5221, John Condon[Apprentice Master], 10-[12]-8-5-6- ; 29   
 8. 5101, Patrick Donohue[Apprentice Master], 3-[17]-10-8-10- ; 31   
 9. 81831, Miles Diekmann, 11-10-[13]-6-8- ; 35T   
 10. 12, Ken Charles[Great Grand Master], 7-7-12-9-[13]- ; 35T   
 11. 3375, TED CREMER[Grand Master], 12-9-9-[19]-7- ; 37   
 12. 55, Mary Kalich[Master], [14]-8-14-10-12- ; 44   
 13. 81964, Kevin Ryan, 9-14-7-15-[16]- ; 45   
 14. 3856, Lindsay Brink[Apprentice Master], [18]-11-16-17-14- ; 58   
 15. 81351, Paul Zinger[Apprentice Master], 17-21-11-11-[30/DNF]- ; 60   
 16. 73388, Kevin Brink[Apprentice Master], [23]-13-18-13-18- ; 62T   
 17. 81669, Andrew Padin[Junior], 16-[20]-17-14-15- ; 62T   
 18. 49214, Richard Prieto[Grand Master], [20]-18-19-16-11- ; 64T   
 19. 81684, Andre Patin, 15-16-15-18-[30/DNF]- ; 64T   
 20. 75451, Larry Suter[Great Grand Master], 5-15-[30/DNF]-30/DNF-30/DNS- ; 80T   
 21. 4860, Marta Chlus, 22-[23]-21-20-17- ; 80T   
 22. 4557, Caitlin Stewart[Junior], 21-[22]-22-21-19- ; 83   
 23. 81897, Peter Judge[Grand Master], 19-19-20-[30/DNF]-30/DNS- ; 88   
 24. 1883, Cole Vitolano, 24-24-[30/DNS]-30/DNF-20- ; 98   
 25. 81963, Mark Powell, [30/DNF]-30/DNS-23-30/DNF-30/DNF- ; 113   
 26. 03, Caitlin Cummings, [30/DNS]-30/DNS-30/DNS-30/DNS-30/DNS- ; 120T   
 27. 81435, frank Seckler[Grand Master], [30/DNS]-30/DNS-30/DNS-30/DNS-30/DNS- ; 120T   
 28. 81310, Peter Beardsley[App. Master], [30/DNS]-30/DNS-30/DNS-30/DNS-30/DNS- ; 120T 
 29. 81886, Paul Cammarota, [30/DNS]-30/DNS-30/DNS-30/DNS-30/DNS- ; 120T  

Ocean Gate Yacht Club | September 14-15, 2024

Sunfish (34 boats) 
Series Standing - 7 races scored

Pos,Sail, Skipper, Yacht Club, Results, Total Points
 1. 78545, Dan Hesse, Saratoga Lake Sailing Club, [3]-1-1-3-1-1-1- ; 8   
 2. 11, Doug Kaukeinen, Rochester Canoe Club, 1-2-[3]-1-2-2-3- ; 11   
 3. 81260, Adam Gesner, Rochester Canoe Club, 7-3-4-2-[35/DNF]-3-2- ; 21   
 4. 37630, Betsy Davis, Lavallette Yacht Club, 4-[14]-2-6-5-4-8- ; 29   
 5. 81453, James Maida, Lavallette yc, 6-5-[9]-7-3-5-5- ; 31   
 6. 62012, Chris Krautheim, Metedeconk River Yacht Club, 2-[12]-5-5-8-6-7- ; 33   
 7. 4400, Doug Brown, LYC/SSS, 5-8-8-[10]-7-7-4- ; 39   
 8. 81336, Dave Magno, Lavallette, 8-15-7-8-4-9-[16]- ; 51   
 9. 81438, Dave Applegate, Lavallette Yacht Club, [19]-6-16-14-6-12-6- ; 60   
 10. 88436, Nancy Jaywork, RBSA, 9-9-[14]-11-9-14-12- ; 64   
 11. 3801, Justin Huntington, Manhattan Yacht Club, 12-11-10-[13]-10-13-10- ; 66   
 12. 4752, Jim Knab, Rehoboth Bay SA, 15-[16]-13-12-11-10-9- ; 70T   
 13. 81817, Hollin Calloway, Manhattan Yacht Club, 13-10-12-[15]-13-11-11- ; 70T   
 14. 64, Richard Skeen, Richard Skeen, 14-13-[21]-18-12-16-14- ; 87   
 15. None, Mike Lorenz, None, [28]-19-15-28-18-8-13- ; 101   
 16. 81033, David Thompson, Lavallette YC, 10-7-11-4-[35/DNC]-35/DNC-35/DNS- ; 102   
 17. 81417, Ken Zorovich, Manhattan Yacht Club, 11-4-6-16-[35/DNC]-35/DNC-35/DNS- ; 107  
 18. 6676, John Barrere, Pinchot Sailing Club, 20-22-20-17-17-17-[35/DNS]- ; 113   
 19. 81724, Colin Murray, Deer Lake Yacht Club, 16-20-[28]-26-14-20-20- ; 116T   
 20. 81335, Christian Underwood, Metedeconk River YC, 18-[27]-17-23-15-25-18- ; 116T   
 21. 60307, Dirk Mechielsen, Manhattan Yacht Club, [24]-23-24-19-22-15-15- ; 118   
 22. 81873, Kara Licata, Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club, 21-18-23-9-25-[26]-23- ; 119T   
 23. 80979, David Sikora, Ocean Gate Yacht Club, 23-[29]-19-22-16-18-21- ; 119T   
 24. 77897, Susan Mallows, LYC/SSS, 17-21-18-[27]-23-22-22- ; 123   
 25. 80764, Kevin Kearney, Toms River YC, 26-24-[27]-20-21-19-19- ; 129   
 26. 80814, Richard Long, Manhattan Yacht Club, [31]-28-30-30-20-21-17- ; 146   
 27. 81853, Sherry Roth, Brant Beach Yacht Club, 29-30-[31]-31-19-23-24- ; 156T   
 28. 81862, Brandon Bellish, SPYC, 27-26-25-24-27-[30]-27- ; 156T   
 29. 88810, Judy Lazo, Cooper River YC, 25-25-26-21-[35/DNS]-35/DNC-30- ; 162   
 30. 79331, Edith Dumhart, Brant Beach YC, 30-31-29-25-[35/OCS]-24-26- ; 165   
 31. 58914, Constance Miller, Lewes YC, 22-17-22-[35/DNS]-35/DNS-35/DNC-35/DNS- ; 166   
 32. 5129, Katherine Whitby, MYC, [33]-32-32-29-28-29-25- ; 175   
 33. 81923, Gary DePice, SSYC, 32-[35/DNF]-33-32-26-28-28- ; 179   
 34. 81826, Michael Bonham, Manhattan Yacht Club, 34-[35/DNF]-34-33-24-27-29- ; 181   

September 20-22, 2024 -- Wawasee Yacht Club, Syracuse, Indiana

by Susan Tillman-Berg

Wawasee Yacht Club, in Syracuse, Indiana successfully hosted the Sunfish Midwest Regional (II) Regatta on Lake Wawasee, Sept 20-22. After having to cancel the Practice Race due to a nearby lightening storm, the event kicked off on Friday with a dinner hosted at the club. 

Twenty-five sailors were ready to hit the water on Saturday, but the wind did not materialize even late into the afternoon, consistent with the forecast. Lunch was provided and enjoyed at the club, table and chair style! Not to be thwarted, some sailors jumped aboard a pontoon boat to arrive lakeside at the Oakwood Resort, enjoying college football and some beverages. Others spent time enjoying the simple pleasures of water skiing, floating in an inner tube, or achieving a high score in ‘pass the ball, keep it in the air’ game. There was even a visit to Shipshewana, the Midwest's Largest Outdoor Flea Market. After another nice dinner at the club on Saturday night, several sailors opted to pay a visit to the Frog Tavern, known locally as ‘An Institution …of Sorts’.

Sunday produced some light, shifty wind and thanks to the talented race committee, three races were completed. It was a day to pay attention to the shifts, no room for mistakes! Mark Kastel was on his game, finishing 1^st in all three. Dan Norton found his groove after the first leg and never looked back, tacking his way up the fleet in the first race and finishing 2^nd in the latter two. Rich Chapman was consistently in the top of the fleet finishing the event in 3^rd. Josh Kerst was fighting for the lead and Ron McHenry was the top sailor over 70 finishing 5th overall.

Gretchen Seymour secured the top finisher amongst the women with Emily Wagner close on her heels. Frank Levinson took the top finish for Lake Wawasee home sailors finishing the first race just ahead of his son, Henry.

All twenty-five competitors crossed the finish line in all three races and were pulling boats out of the water just as a rain squall (no lightning!) came through. The competitors enjoyed having a hot, tasty tortilla soup waiting for them at the club for lunch. 

A necessary call-out to Brad Wagnon for hosting this Midwest Regionals; to Daphne Wagnon for her Mastery creating and serving all of the delicious meals and to Cindy Baird for being Daphne’s right hand. Amazing!   

Thank you to the Race Committee (Dave Irmscher, Judy and Mert Wolff, Cheryl Wallace, Colin Fishbourne, Kenny Boles, Laurie Ward, the Dolly Crew (Andrew Wallach + his 3 children!), the members of WYC who were housing hosts and those who were on hand to provide support and to commune with the racers. 

It was great to see each & every participant at this regatta and I can say with confidence that the Wawasee Yacht Club will welcome any Sunfish sailor back, anytime! 

“This is really a world-class Club, on a nice Midwest Lake. I would encourage everyone to participate any time they hold a regatta here. It should be a magnet for next year’s Women’s North American Championship!”  Mark Kastel

One, two, three, four, five, six … Six sailors on a bench.

At the North Shore House on Lake Wawasee. 

Brad Wagnon, Chairman of the Midwest Regional II Regatta.

Grand Lagoon Yacht Club, Pensacola, Florida | September 21-22, 2024

Sunfish (14 boats) (top)
 Series Standing - 9 races scored

Pos,Sail, Skipper, Results, Total Points
 1. 5075, Eugene Schmitt, 1-[4]-2-2-1-3-1-1-3- ; 14   
 2. 76443, Andy Beeckman, 3-1-4-3-[5]-4-4-2-1- ; 22   
 3. 4556, Savannah Baus, 4-3-[7]-5-2-2-2-3-2- ; 23   
 4. 176, Steve Honour, 2-5-1-1-3-1-[10]-10-9- ; 32   
 5. 53243, Christopher Friend, [9]-6-5-7-8-6-3-5-4- ; 44   
 6. 37630, Betsy Davis, 5-7-3-[9]-7-5-5-8-7- ; 47   
 7. 5197, Jack Timberlake, 8-8-[9]-6-9-8-7-4-8- ; 58   
 8. 81798, Peter Buckley, 6-9-8-11-[12]-7-6-9-5- ; 61   
 9. 34, Clinton Edwards, 7-2-6-4-4-[15/DNC]-15/DNC-15/DNC-15/DNC- ; 68   
 10. 81492, Scott Elliott, 10-[12]-10-8-6-9-9-7-10- ; 69   
 11. 81760, Mark Heinold, [11]-10-11-10-10-10-8-6-6- ; 71   
 12. 80888, Hal Smith, [14]-13-14-12-11-11-11-11-11- ; 94   
 13. 81759, Jim Heinold, 12-11-12-13-[15/RET]-12-12-12-12- ; 96   
 14. 80861, Michael Oliver, 13-[14]-13-14-13-13-13-13-13- ; 105

Sept. 28-29, 2024 – Orleans Yacht Club, Orleans, MA

Sept. 14-15 – Devils Lake Yacht Club – Manitour Beach, MI

by Gail Turluck

A great regatta always known for “This One’s for Fun” kept its spirit alive. Who would have thought a World Championship caliber event would be this year’s gathering?

Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the mid-80’s. Wind was E 3-7 for the first two races and built a little to E 6-12 for the second two races. All courses were Windward-Leeward, short of mid-line start/finish. Lightnings started first, followed by the Sunfish. After Saturday’s races Josh Kerst was in the lead by one point. Notably spots 6-9 were in a four-way tie and ,by coincidence, those sailors shared a table for dinner at the yacht club.

Sunday morning dawned with fog that burned off quickly. There was a brief lull in the wind which filled back in and racing got started about 10:30. Again it was beautiful, sunny, with temperatures in the upper 70’s. Wind was SE, 5-5, shifty and puffy, however, making for challenges getting around the course. The two races sailed on Sunday were claimed by Rich Chapman, though Rich, Josh Kerst and Dan Norton had all led in the races. A planned seventh race was abandoned as the wind abandoned the lake—no one complained!

That final sweep and getting to six races made Rich Chapman the champion. David Lattie and Jeff Goff were at the top of the four tied, but were tied again! Lattie’s last race 4 gave him the tiebreaker.

Make your plans for 2025—this will be a Midwest Region Championship and Devils Lake Yacht Club’s 75th Anniversary. A great time will be awaiting all!

Podium from Devils Lake: 1st -Rich Chapman, 2nd -Josh Kerst, 3rd -Dan Norton, 4th -Ron McHenry, 5th -Carey Jones. Photo by Gail M. Turluck Photography.

August 30-September 1, 2024 -- Greater Detroit Sunfish Club, Roscommon, Michigan

by Kirk Beadle

The races were held at Higgins Lake with the sailors staying at South Higgins Lake State Park. Saturday night included happy hour and a potluck dinner with great food and camaraderie. The sailing was close all day with the top three skippers separated by only three points. Derrick Fries was the only one to win a second race - proving to be the difference needed to win the regatta. The winds were very up and down - sometimes you were crouching in the cockpit and other times you were hiking full out giving all sailors a fair chance in the wind conditions best for them. Sunday’s racing was canceled due to high winds.

Aug. 31, 2024 -- North Shore Yacht Club, Highland Park, Illinois

By Ellie Sylvan

We had a very successful Summer's End Regatta.  The winds were light at the start but picked up nicely as the day went on.  The racers were able to get five races in so they were happy!  Sunday we had a Small Craft Advisory so we were very pleased that we had scheduled a one-day regatta, and the weather cooperated for that one day!

Chapman received the "Mayor's Cup" which alternates between the Buccaneer fleet and the Sunfish fleet.  Rich received both the 1st place Sunfish trophy and the Mayor's Cup. Rich also won the relatively new Sunfish Lake Michigan Championship award.  This award was created in 2022 by Mark Kastel to promote Sunfish racing on Lake Michigan.  Rich won the award both last year and this year.

(Left) Scott Schappe, 2^nd; (Center) Rich Chapman, 1^st plus Mayor’s Trophy winner; (Right) Rich Chapman with Mark Kastel, Lake Michigan Championship winner. Photos courtesy Ellie Sylvan.

Aug. 10-11, 2024 -- Gull Lake Sailing Club, Richland, Michigan

by Gail Turluck

The fun-loving sailors of Gull Lake welcomed their guests at this regatta’s launch site-Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station on the east shore of Gull Lake.   Boats were unloaded, rigs set up, and then the “hawk” came in!  Huge onshore breeze of 20-30 mph precluded launching and racing. An early postponement until 2:00 pm on Saturday was made in hopes of the wind easing off, but it did not. Gail Turluck then led a single halyard Jens Rig clinic and reviewed outhaul and Cunningham set up and use. By then it was time to go for refreshments and dinner at NEDS on Gull Lake.  Next on the schedule was a party at the Turluck residence featuring the Booze Dragons Band!  

Sunday dawned early with all sailors hopeful and eager to get on the water.  The wind was light!  The forecast called for a stiff breeze again, so boats were rigged promptly and left shore in building winds to get the series going. The racing was very tight, with multiple leaders in each race and position changes on the last leg in all races, too.  The wind was WNW 8-13, shifty and puffy, giving opportunity to play shifts and find pressure to improve position or endure a poor choice and fall back.  

Four races were held on Sunday. It was mostly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 60s. A bonus of the cool conditions, clouds and breeze is it kept many powerboats, wake boats and jet skis home!  Our crack Race Committee, Rick Kohl and Greg Muliett, set the race course and reeled off four races before the 1:00 pm cutoff. Finishes were so close it was unclear at the boat park who the winner was.  After scores were compiled it was easy to understand the wonder—the top four boats were separated by three points!  Tight racing, fair racing, led to local Larry Carter claiming the 2024 title!

While there was no racing on Saturday, it didn’t stop the party!  Booze Dragons Band rocked it out for competitors and their guests!  Podium occupants were (l to r) 1^st-Larry Carter; 3^rd-Gail Turluck, 4^th-Chuck Connors, 5^th-Scott Diamond. Not pictured-2^nd, David Lattie.

Aug. 3-4, 2024 -- Erie Yacht Club, Erie, Pennsylvania

by Gail Turluck

Sailors came from far and wide to race on Presque Isle Bay on Lake Erie. Many arrived on Friday to set up; a few went for a sail. On Saturday it was mostly sunny, warm with temperatures ranging 76-83 degrees, and NE-ENE winds of 6-14 that took a little while to fill in.  The club hosted a nice barbecue dinner Saturday night with a wide variety of sausages, hamburgers, chips and salads, with a keg. On Sunday it was sunny with temperatures ranging 78-82 degrees and W winds of 8-13. Nice length courses were run.  The wind was shifty both days; playing the shifts well was important.   It was kind of weedy, too, clearing daggerboards regularly made a difference. You couldn’t really see the weeds though they gathered. 18-year-old Christopher Chwalk claimed the berth to the 2025 Sunfish World Championship.

July 13, 2024 -- Maxinkuckee Yacht Club, Culver, Indiana

June 2, 2024 -- Michigan Sailing Club, Dexter, Michigan

by Kirk Beadle

Michigan Sailing Club is on beautiful Baseline Lake near Dexter, MI. Winds were light and shifty - typical inland lake sailing.

June 2, 2024 -- Hueston Sailing Association, College Corner, Ohio

by Mike Stratton

We were warned. Could be slow. We didn't realize how slow until it happened. Zero to four with the emphasis on the zero. Still, as per our habit, we "raced" anyway. Twelve boats ignored the "forecast" and the flat, mirror like water and '"flew" out to the "race" course and "zipped" around the shortened course. Twice! Despite the challenges, the chosen twelve performed admirably despite the omnipresent frustration of light air at Acton Lake.

With plenty of time to think about their decision making, they made lists of things to do when home this week, replayed the Mavericks/Timberwolves game in their heads, called friends and chatted, and generally found ways to pass the time. Most notable performance might have been "newish" racing member Bob Fletcher who, after a poor start in race one caused him to finish second to last, maintained his composure enough to get the best start in the fleet in race two and finish second. It was not surprising to see him do that as he often gets the best start in the weekday Sunfish training sessions.

Also enjoying moments of skill and daring? Bobby Taylor stayed right with the front pack in race one before succumbing to a bad start in race two. And it was a day where a bad start was going to often spell a bad word. Like doom. Jackie Guntle, back in action after a bout with a bad back, got a nine in race one only to fall into a hole for race two. In the end, it was the usual suspects figuring out the lighter than lightest air.

Laura Peters sailed consistently enough to finish second overall, even after a fourth and a third. Dom Everaet did likewise with a third place overall after a third and a fifth. Bill Molleran, who won race one by overtaking Yours Truly on the last leg, paired that bullet with an 8th in race two to come in fourth.

Many thanks to the race committee for their diligent course setting in such air. It was the second time in the past month that Pete, Rose, and henchman Jonathon Askins delivered a no air race. Perhaps it is time to give them some time off. Also thanks to Jackie Guntle for post-race cuisine organization and help with trophies. And to Amy Marks for trophy relic contribution. And to JoAnn Callahan for shelter sitting during the race (and for paper plates). Hang in there Sunfishers! A Sunfish regatta with wind is coming soon. We pray.

Podium from Founders Day Regatta, 2^nd-Laura Peters, 1^st-Mike Stratton, 3^rd-Dom Everaet.

June 1, 2024 -- Jolly Roger Sailing Club, Toledo, Ohio

by Gail Turluck

The Cattail Regatta was raced on Maumee Bay on Lake Erie. This was a multi-class event with Catalina 22s, Interlakes, Sunfish and ILCA Dinghies. The Catalina 22s raced two days, all others raced one day. It was 75-80 degrees, sunny, with winds S 8-11 for fun racing. In the first race Gail Turluck’s rudder cheeks failed and she sailed in. In the second race Matt Heywood became ill and sailed in. Josh Kerst and Dan Norton duked it out in very close racing and Norton claimed the title. The club hosted a really nice steak dinner after racing before the prize giving.

Podium at the 2024 Cattail Regatta:   1^st-Dan Norton, 2^nd-Josh Kerst (not pictured), 
3^rd-Tom Katterheinrich. Photo by Gail M. Turluck Photography.

Arizona Yacht Club Sunfish Fleet 749 … racing on Tempe Town Lake. The desert city of Phoenix, AZ (next door to Tempe) suffered 113 straight days   with temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).  Higher-than-normal temperatures don’t stop this hardy group of Sunfish sailors who can’t wait for racing night.

Lake Naomi Sailing Club Fleet #189, Pocono Pines, PA
 Saturday August 10, 2024 

Winners of the Lake Naomi Invitational

Less than 2 weeks before the ISCA World Championship begins at Rush Creek Yacht Club. Please follow the event action, daily recaps and results on these social media channels:  

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