We were told all week that we were going to have some decent WX for Sunday, June 11, 2006. However, June 10 was kinda iffy. I looked at my WX prognosticator and it indicated sunny WX. Then when I awoke on June 11 and checked and looked outside it did not look too promising with heavy overcast with a feeling of rain in the air. My WX guesser indicated rain for the day. It certainly looked like it.

It was Howard Rasmussen’s turn to drive this time. We both live in University Place, WA. Howard picked me up about 7:30AM. As we drove toward Surprise Lake the WX conditions seemed to be improving because in the North it appeared to be breaking up what was apparently our marine effect of low ceiling fog. It was certainly beginning to look promising and we arrived at skippers’ breakfast at about 8AM. Ronald Krona, Gig Harbor, WA was already there. Then in quick order Harry Lange, Enumclaw, WA and Chappy Chapman, North Tacoma arrived. We left for the lake at about 9AM.

When we arrived at the lake there was a slight breeze from the S and SW at 3-5mph with mackerel-like cloud cover with bright sun. It was really beginning to look very promising. Harry L immediately tackled the mark set up. Harry did the usual Surprise Lake drill with the N/S E/W right angled starting line with a triangular course that would double as a windward/leeward course.

While all of this was going on, we got our gear to the dock and then I proceeded to sweep up the usual goose poop, though, this time I must admit it was not too bad. While in the process, Chappy spelled me and continued to sweep.

The starting gun went off at about 10AM with dropping SW winds 2-3mph and kinda shifty. The temps were in the mid 50sF and by the end of the regatta they were in the high 60sF. Since the winds were rather light we decided on a windward/leeward course. As we were sailing Joe D’Amico and Jack Ronda, Sequim, WA showed up. Talk about a sight for sore eyes! It was great seein’ them. It’s been some time since they were last down here. Then as were just finishing our greeting the guys from Sequim who should show but Rick Martin, who lives in Japan. Rick works for Boeing and is here apparently, from what he says, about 4x a year. He wanted to see us at the lake since we were sailing our ODOMs and he recently bought a used one that has some problems. When the next heat was about to start I gave Rick my transmitter and he sailed it for two heats.

When we had sailed up to about the 7th heat, the winds started to pick up to 3-5mph with gusts to 6-7mph. Since we were far along in the regatta we decided to sail some triangular courses with sausage. There were no break downs. There were a few battery changes. Winds were blowing steadily near the 12^th heat. So we kept saying ‘let’s sail another heat.’ Of course there were no objections so on we sailed. So finally at the conclusion of the 16^th heat, at 1PM, we figured it was time to ‘pack it in.’

Harry L rounded up the marks and locked up the boat and put the gear away. Thanx, Harry, for putting out the marks and putting them away. We then headed for the Tav to get a bite to eat and figure the placing. It was a draw for 3^rd & 4^th place with 24 points each. Harry L had one 1^st to he got 3^rd and Howard R 4^th.

It was absolutely, positively a GREAT day for sailing. One could not have asked for a more pleasant sailing day especially so with all of the ‘strangers’ that showed up! You guys oughta make it more often, right? For all of those skippers out there that did not show and thought about it, you really, honest to goodness blew it.

1. Joe D’Amico 9 Pts.

2. Jack Ronda 30

3. Harry Lange 46

4. Howard Rasmussen 46

5. Joe Brohan 53

6. Chappy Chapman 78

Joe Brohan

11 Jun, '06, 17:27
St. Pete Scorer for Opti's