You missed another really fun, low overhead regatta if you didn't
make this year's J/22 Eastern Great Lakes Championship in Tawas
Bay, Michigan. Unfortunately, one of the traditions of the Tawas
Bay Regatta is that the winning team has to provide the news
article. As I've been assigned, it comes as a reminder that every
victory comes with a price.
We arrived Friday afternoon to be greeted by Chris and Jen
Princing along with a host of other friendly Tawas folks. The
first thing they mentioned was that there was beer in the blue
cooler near the hoist if we wanted any. The brand choices were
many, but they had Carling Black Label Beer!! Not being shy, but
somewhat masochistic, I immediately accepted the Black Label in
hopes it would transport me back to my younger years. It didn't,
but it does still taste the same. That's a good thing?
Soon our boat was put together and it was time to wander over by
the fire pit in the front yard of the Club. We got to talk to our
old friends and make new ones. Tawas Fleet #44 treated us to Brats
(not terrible children, sausages), hamburgers, corn, salads,
brownies, and other good food for dinner. The party then moved
into the bar to continue the fun. Susan Mattis-Turnham, David, and
Connie arrived a bit late with their 12 hour drive from Minnesota,
but were soon into the festivities.
Saturday morning was the Skipper's Meeting at a very humane 1130
hrs. Racing commenced early afternoon with the first two races
being spotty and shifty. As it seems always happens on Tawas Bay,
the breeze filled in nicely for the last two races. The day ended
with Team Kevin Doyle, Team Chris Doyle, and Team
Susan Mattis-Turnham all tied at 11 points. Team Chris Doyle was
very consistent the entire regatta (with young son Nick on
foredeck), as was Team Susan Mattis-Turnham with some great races
and consistency also.
It was a bit cool outside so Saturday night, after dinner in the
Club, again had us gathered around the fire pit. If you're there
for dinner don't miss the perch. The choice is 5 or 9 piece, 5 is
plenty. We were soon entertained with Michigan lore and a rather
interesting stand-up routine by Chris Princing (frayed knot!) with
colorful support by buddies Jeff, Ludwig, and other locals jumping
in. The Canadian contingent with Jane, Doug, Cameron, Luke,
Derrick, et. al. added international color commentary. It's nice
to have our Canadian friends make the trip. Chris Doyle tried to
get us fired up with rounds of shots, but actually the evening
ended fairly early (for most apparently).
Promise of a 1000 hrs. start brought people to an "earlier than
Saturday" breakfast buffet Sunday morning. Team Chris Princing
arrived bleary eyed with Red Bulls at the ready. Soon there were
tales of a second wind at the cottage, beer consumption,
Jägermeister, coed tag team bed wrestling, and memory lapse (no
details disclosed here to protect the guilt........um,
ahhh....innocents). You just have to love Sunday mornings at Tawas.
As on Saturday the first race Sunday started medium and shifty,
with the breeze building to a great ride for the second race. It's
not the Fremantle Doctor, but it seems you can count on the Tawas
Bay Physician's Assistant. Team Ernie Dieball, who traveled in
from Toledo to join the fun, won the first race and pretty much
improved in every race of the series. It's great to have Ernie
join our Class. Team Chris Princing won the second race. It's
really nice to have Chris Princing on the business-end of the
tiller again. Their team sailed particularly well in the bigger
breezes at the end of both days.
Many thanks to PRO - John McCree, RC - Gus Dey, Rich Main, Chase
Boats - Neil Ericsson, Scarlett Duffy, Dan Seifert, Rob and Kim
Stork, Frank and Mary Fitus; Co-Chairs - Chris and Jen Princing,
all the Fleet 44 folks, and the Tawas Bay Yacht Club for hosting
yet another great regatta.
Oh yes, a big thanks to Kevin and Jake Doyle for great racing and
victory; and Helen Snyder and Carol Doyle for great fun. I guess
that last part could be misinterpreted............ NAH!, not by
you classy J/22 people!!
