70th Lightning Frigid Digit Regatta
September 25/26 2021
Lightning Fleet 329 and the Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis hosted the 70th running of the Frigid Digit Regatta on September 25 -26, 2021 in Whitehall Bay at the month of the Severn River. 19 boats entered the event this year and 17 made it out on the water for some fantastic racing.
Annapolis Lightning light air technique on display Saturday afternoon in Ego Alley
Light air Saturday kept the fleet ashore but Sunday more than made up for the lay day. A moderate morning breeze transitioned into a powerful, puffy breeze ranging from 12-24 mph and some big shifts. PRO Luke Shingledecker and his race committee got off 4 great races before the time limit expired at 2 pm resulting in a glorious day of big wind sailing.
A spectacular afternoon on Chesapeake Bay © 2021 Ted Morgan
In the last race, Jim Lane decided to jibe the chute just as a huge gust hit. As a result, the boat turtled, and the mast got stuck in the mud. As Team Phelan finished the race about 20 minutes later, they noted that the crash boat and the Lanes were still in the water. Jason Phelan told his dad he “was already sopping wet”, so they went back downwind to the capsize site and Jason went in the water to help. He was able to get up on the centerboard and provide the leverage needed to bring the mast up and out of the water.
The Starck family dominated the racecourse and the leaderboard, as Jody and Jamie, with Ian Jones in the middle won the day , and also the ‘First to the weather mark’ trophy. Sabrina, with father David and Jody Lutz rounding out her team finished third. Justin Coplan, Danielle Prior, and Ian Sanderson took second place.
Jody Starck, Ian Jones, and Jamie Starck take off upwind on their way to winning the 70th Frigid Digit © 2021 Ted Morgan
In the doublehanded division, a response to the ongoing pandemic, Jonathan and Philip Lange took the win. They also brought home the ‘Most Improved’ award for advancing farther over their 2020 scores than any other competitor. Ian Jones was awarded the Garwood Memorial Trophy (a bottle of wine) awarded each year to the middle crew of the winning boat in honor of Bill Garwood’s legendary ability to enjoy the social side of our regatta.
Jody, Jamie, and Ian pose with the Frigid Digit Perpetual Trophy
Ted Morgan was on the course all day and took spectacular photos. They can be seen at the following link: https://tedmorganphotography.zenfolio.com/p500904278
Final Results are posted on the SSA Website at: http://results.severnsailing.org/2021/2021-Lightning-Frigid-Digit/2021-Lightning-Frigid-Digit.html