Lightning Fall Series
This weekend (09/16/23 - 09/17/23) could be called many things, but I would call it “How SSA Members Step Up To Support Sister Fleets!”
Due to an unfortunate series of events, only 2 of our 6-7 boat fleet was able to participate the Fall Series. Since we needed to have a minimum of three boats on the line to have our own start, new Fleet Captain Lisa-Marie Lane, with the help of many fellow sailors at the last Tuesday Night TESOD recruited other 3 other SSA Sailors willing to crew on a Lightning for our Fall Series. This is another reason why SSA is such an incredible club and the members are like family…If you find time in your schedule and have the opportunity support another fleet who needs crew, please return the favor!
PRO Charlie Krafft and team ran 3 nice races for us in some “interesting conditions.” The course was held in the White Hall Bay racing area with shifty winds from the N-NW. There was a lot of regatta activity on the bay on Saturday and since it was a beautiful day it always brings out the powerboat traffic and boat wake through the course area.
Jim Lane’s team had a crew issue and needed to retire in the middle of race 2 which brought us back to a two-boat match race. The funniest moment on the course happened during the end of the 3rd race. Team “LM” Lane and Team Hurban were 3 boat lengths from the finish line and separated by a 50’ Sailboat. Team Lane was slightly behind and was clear to finish but Team Hurban was pinned windward of the vessel. When Gary yelled “Fall off we are trying to finish a race” the Sailboat Skipper returned with a stern “I’m Leeward Boat!” Even with the slight delay, Team Hurban made it across the ‘pin-favored’ finish line by seconds to beat Team Lane.
As luck would have it, the second day of racing was not meant to happen, so we only had a one-day event. I would personally like to thank to Suzanne Wilt (Melges 15 Skipper), Will Kourafas (Lightning Crew and John Hopkins student who jumped though incredible public transportation hoops to sail at SSA on Saturday), Dean Bernocchi (SSA Member), John McGrane (Laser Sailor) and Jonathan Lange for lending his boat to Jim Lane to get a 3rd boat on the line.
