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2005 J/22 Bay of Pigs Regatta - Tawas Bay, Michigan |
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I will give you a brief summary on the regatta, as seen from a
mid-pack boat who had a lot of fun sailing with my team, Bill and
Kathy Busch (Father and Daughter). A brief history on these two if
I may. Bill was one of the people in Tawas who taught my brother
and me how to sail. Jennifer and I helped teach Kathy how to sail
a J/22 back when she was 16 or 17. So it was a real thrill for me
to have them both on the boat.
I was coming back to Michigan from a week in Texas. I landed at
the airport and headed straight up to Tawas to get the boat ready
for sailing. I showed up around 5pm and was greeted by my wife,
Jennifer, my brother Matt, Lucy his golden retriever, and our new
puppy Summer. I had a cold beer and said, “Screw it”; I will set
the boat up in the morning.
I spent the rest of the evening sipping beers and helping others
rig their J/22s for action on Saturday. We smiled when we saw
Chris and Sue Doyle from Kenmore, New York pull in. They brought
with them their young stud Nick. We watched Nick wax and then Vic
Snyder and Helen showed up from Niagara Falls, New York. Now if we
could just get Kevin and Carol to show up, we would be complete!
Editor’s note: Kevin and Carol did show up later.
As is one of the many traditions of this regatta, Fleet 44 cooked
burgers and bratwurst for all hungry souls on Friday night. For
once we were chased under the protection of the back porch to ward
off the cold. After dinner we adjourned to the bar for some adult
beverages. Some of us left earlier than normal, but circumstances
predicated this. Low and behold, as we passed through town we
spotted Cameron and his team checking into the Bambi. We did an
about face and went back to welcome them back to Tawas.
Saturday came rather shitely. Raining like cats and dogs on the
way to the race course. Still raining for most of the first half
of the first race. Ernie Dieball sailing USA 803
Moon Over My Hammy won the pin end and lead for the entire
race, followed closely by Matt Princing’s USA 782.. Two boats
OCS: C. Doyle Hogs & Kisses and C. Princing
Anti-Swine.
Race two saw the wind go right, and then farther right, and then
piss off! Those of us off to the left were hung out to dry in a
big way. The faithful on USA 838 were cracking beers hoping there
was a time limit in the sailing instructions, but NOOOOOOOOOOO. A
little breeze came in and we finished the race.
Moon Over My Hammy won again! Second went to USA
1026.
Race three saw the beginning of the end for anyone not named: C.
Doyle, Rick Egloff, or Stud Doyle err Nick. It was the start of
the USA 1026 school lesson on how to sail on Tawas Bay. Again, let
me remind you, we were middle of the pack and do not know what C.
Doyle was doing to win. Hell, we would not even know he was out
there until we would see him tied up at the dock, folding sails
when we came in! So I don’t know what happened. USA 803 took a
second, ask Ernie.
Race four reminded us all why we love Tawas. What started in rain
and no wind was now sunny, warm, and 15+ knots of air. Yee haaaa!
We finished fourth, USA 1026 won again but second went to Cameron
Smith’s CAN 481 Pig Floyd. After racing we all drank a few
cold beers and talked about how Tawas came around and showed her
true self. Dinner was off the menu up at the Tawas Bay Yacht
Club. Chef Jeff and his staff did a fabulous job. I took Vic’s
advice and got the five piece perch. Off to the bar, and again
some of us left a little earlier than normal.
Sunday came and it was nice. Sunny warm and good breeze. You
could set your clock to the breeze and sun in Tawas. Again it was
a C. Doyle school lesson. Race five USA 803 finished second and
race six saw the first sign of USA 489 Mo' Bacon. Kevin and
Vic spent way too much time hanging out with us this weekend, but
it was nice to see them.
We handed out door prizes from North Sails, Hall Spars, Quantum
Sails and US Watercraft. The biggest prize was a $50.00 gift
certificate from US Watercraft, won by Bob Currier.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Mannington Mills. They
sponsor J/22 Fleet 44 and the Lightning fleet that races out of
Bay City, Michigan. Without their support we would not be where we
are. If you need and flooring, wood, tile, or commercial, give
Mannington Mills
a try. Located at independent flooring stores across the
USA.
Thanks to all of the volunteers, I listed as many as I could on the
score sheet. Most of them have been around to help out with this
regatta from the first one back in 1998. We have a good crew and
most have committed back for 2006. RC: John McCree a Lightning
sailor from Bay City, Michigan has done this for three years for
us, we appreciate that. Other volunteers: Margaret Coberly, Dr.
and Mrs. Olgaard, Sue Alexander, Rich Main, Rob Stork, Frank Fitus,
Neil Ericsson, Scarlett Duffy, Dan Siefert, Nancy Princing,
Jennifer Princing, Dennis Princing, Matt Princing, and Lee Thwing.
Thanks also to Paul Hurst and the members of TBYC for giving us a
beautiful facility in which to host this event.
I personally would like to thank all of you for sailing here with
me, travel is not cheap, but it was so good to see all of you.
Judd, Ceal, Nick, and Mary, we miss you guys, come back soon.
Thanks to Kathy and Bill, I had a ball! Thanks to Jennifer and
Summer, it was the best seeing you two in Tawas!
Chris
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