NSC Inaugural Junior Regatta a big success!

NSC Inaugural Junior Regatta a big success!

The Nockamixon Sail Club hosted it’s first ever Junior Regatta under near perfect sailing conditions on Labor day.  Four competitors sailed in Lasers that were loaned to the event by members of the club and in boats of their own.  They completed 3 races plus a “warm-up” in light-medium wind conditions under warm sunny skies.  The event was originally planned for Saturday September 4 but had to be postponed due to the high gusty winds and unfortunately the change prevented a few additional entrants from participating but offered ideal conditions for those that did.  Many NSC members contributed to the success of the event volunteering as race committee, loaning boats, being on the water coaches, running a safety boat, acting as course marks, and hosting a great after race social with hoagies, desserts and custom trophy Awards.  Thank you to all of you who made this possible!

Glenn Wesley sailed his own Laser made available for the regatta but was unassigned and served as “shepherd” and coach.  Randy Blough loaned his Laser and followed the fleet in a kayak serving as coach and safety officer.  Craig Tourtellott loaned his Laser, ran the RC chase boat that also served as start/finish line marks.  George and Linda Balas served with Mike Mandell on the RC boat while Diane Paxton and Christina Schall organized the social and awards party.  Paul Prozzillo and crew on his Impulse 21 along with Albrecht Schall and crew on their J22 served as course marks and spectator fleet.  Many others including Dan Reasoner offered their support including additional Lasers if needed.    

The day began in the rigging yard where the boys helped rig the Lasers while being mentored in their operation and handling.  We conducted a skippers meeting and outlined plans for the day, rules, safety, and proper seamanship.  The emphasis would be on learning from each other while having fun (and by all accounts we succeeded)!  Then the go ahead as given to launch in very light conditions.  The fleet made its way out to the center of the lake and set up a course using the I21 as a windward mark and a speed buoy as leeward (a permit had not been requested for the event so use of the floating markers was prohibited).  The warm-up race started as a SE drifter but the wind filled and clocked to SW by the last finisher.  The J22 was summoned to move into  position as the new windward mark and the I21 relocated as the leeward mark on a larger course but with freshening breeze.  The 3 official races were then started and completed with great sailing by all and plenty of close competition and lead changes.  The starts were called out from the RC (so they would not require watches) and each start was clean and conservative.  Each competitor completed every race although there were broaches by at least 3 competitors during the course of the day, only one requiring assistance to right, but all without getting wet!  The on the water coaches shadowed the fleet along the entire course offering tips and advice along the way.  We all witnessed fantastic boat handling and seamanship skills being demonstrated by the young energetic sailors and it was enjoyable to all who watched.

The awards and social were held at the picnic table under a tree and many NSC members dropped by to congratulate the competitors.  A great round of applause and a deep felt thank you for each of the competitors and for all of you who volunteered your time and effort to make this event such a great success.  We’re already talking of plans for next year and possibly including Junior fleets in an NSC regatta (stay tuned).  The NSC Junior Regatta is open to all family and friends of NSC members under the age of 18.   Pictures and video will be made available soon.

Regatta Results:

Name Age R1 R2 R3 Score

Sam Mandell 13 1 1 2 4

Ben Sisco 14 3 3 1 7

Ferdinand Schall 11 2 4 3 9

Maximilian Schall 10 4 2 4 10

Mike Mandell

fleet captain, Flying Scot fleet #163

Lake Nockamixon