SSA Spring Invitational,
The Chesapeake Open

It was the tale of 2 sailing days, as so often happens when racing on the Chesapeake Bay. Saturday was a perfect and Sunday was not.

Saturday was a fantastic day, we had 9 boats registered and 8 completed in a beautiful and sometimes spicy 12-18 knot N-NE breeze. We got in 3 races and the action was hot. Robin Richards and Cathee Lee had a great start and terrific boat speed in the first race and won wire to wire. Matt and Morgan came back in the second race to beat the fast charging Chris Lewton and Mike Udell. And the third race, actually the windiest of the day, was determined when Robin and Cathee didn’t realize they had missed the off set mark and had to turn around after already setting their chute. For those who know dousing a chute and turning around in heavy air is tricky and not fast.

Sunday started well, we had a beautiful little 5-8 knot breeze and we got racing under way promptly at 1100. Only problem is the 5-8 quickly turned to 5 and then to 3 and then to 1 to none. A slow climb up the windward mark ensued, initially the RC shortened the course to the weather mark. Bob Damon and Mary Sophia Smith were in perfect position to grab a bullet, but with the rest of fleet washing out the Bay on an ebbing tide, the RC mercifully abandoned the race. After waiting for any semblance of wind, AP over N was raised and racing was canceled for the day.

It has been a tricky sailing season in Annapolis for Fleet One this year, our 2 day Spring Series never got a race off for lack of wind, and now the Chesapeake Open was shortened to one day. As always the Day Sailers can find fun in any conditions, Anna Brammer sailing A La Mare was our Regatta Chair and did a great job of making sure what we didn’t get on the race course, was made with fun on shore. Special welcome to Alex and Gabriella Shewfelt racing the Wave in their first Day Sailer Regatta. And thanks also to Chandler Owen for his work in getting many boats tuned up for the Chesapeake Open.

Also thanks to the crack RC team of Pat Fitzgerald and Joe Van Gieson and the Thistle fleet for running a great day of racing on Saturday.

In the end Matt and Morgan were first, Robin and Cathee were second and Chris and Mike were third.

Results