| April 2004 Issue
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-Sponsors -NYRA History -Past Issues
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2004 San Juan 21 State Championships
There was a smaller than expected turnout for the 2004 San Juan 21 State
Championships. The two day regatta was held at Blackbeard Sailing Club
on April 3 - 4, sharing the facilities and social with the First Citizen's
Cup PHRF racers on Saturday. A total of 9 San Juan 21s sailed, split into
2 boats in All-sails, and 7 in working sails.
For the first race of Saturday the race committee
set the marks for a modified Gold Cup course in Upper Broad Creek, right
off the club's breakwater. The breeze was a moderate, but very shifty
northwesterly. Dick Dommel, from South Carolina, sailed the shifts well
and took first in all sails, with Mike Foster placing second. The pattern
was set for all sails - Dick is a tough guy to beat. In working sails
Mike Bonner took advantage of a shift and got ahead of the fleet at the
last leeward mark for a win in the first race.
For the next three races of Saturday the committee took the fleet into
the river - something we rarely do. The breeze was stronger, and much
more consistent. Once in the "bigger" breeze Kanga, sailed by
Doug Linghini, romped out into the lead for each race, and couldn't be
caught. We sailed two Windward/Leewards, and one more Gold Cup course
before heading in for the social, and a great steak dinner.
The course for Sunday's racing was back in Upper Broad
Creek. Two races were completed in a building westerly breeze that was
quite a handful for everybody by the second, and final, race. We all got
a chance to check out each other's bottom as everyone was overpowered
to some extent on the beats. Once again Kanga showed her stuff and won
both of the working sails races, sailed on a modified Gold Cup course.
Dick Dommel maintained his streak of bullets, though Mike foster crossed
ahead of him and looked very good before a rudder failure put him out
of commission.
Once again, thanks to Ken Gurganus and Mary Helms, our race committee.
Final standings: All Sails |
Points | ||||||
| Dick Dommel | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Mike Foster | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
| Working Sails | |||||||
| Doug Longhini | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Mike Bonner | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 21 tie |
| Margaret Alexander | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 21 tie |
| Jeff Thomas | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 24 |
| Mike Harrison | 4 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 27 |
| Steve Freeman | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 29 |
| Gary Peterson | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 38 |
The NC San Juan 21 Championship was held in conjunction with our First Citizens Cup April 3rd & 4th. Hosted by SJ 21 Fleet 8, the event drew nine San Juan’s for some close racing on the two-day windy racecourses. Fleet 8 Captain Mary Helms, assisted on the R/C boat by Ken Gurganus, set up the first race in the creek near the Green Marker with a sharp wind out of the North.
With 45 to 50 degree shifts in the wind, its was challenging to say the least. For the next 3 races, the course was moved out to Marker #2 for better air and racing conditions. Eric Paul, on the Mark boat, proved invaluable in making the buoy movement in record time as he scooted all over the place in Ed Doughtys Boston Whaler pulling and resetting buoys.
On Sunday the courses were set up just to the East of “C” dock in 10 to 15 knots of wind with gusts up to 20. One again Eric moved marks as the wind shifted around. Without Erics quick and timely buoy placement during this regatta, the R/C would not have been able to finish the six races scheduled on time. Thanks a bunch Eric. Then back to the docks for the beautiful hand pick awards by Mike Harrison and the presentations. - Ken Gurganus
Neuse River Live Camera
