Events

Brad Biskaborn #1 in Grand Bend, Again

July 03, 2008 | by Kevin Biskaborn | News Archives...

In its third year, the Annual Grand Bend Laser Open Regatta saw its third annual Laser Open winner, Brad Biskaborn, victorious once again. With attendance slightly lower than the previous years, in the absence of the complete Dietrich family fleet, the 11 boats competing still provided a fun and challenging regatta held on June 28 and 29, 2008 at the Grand Bend Yacht Club.

The fleet of 11 was divided into 3 divisions: 7 boats in the Laser Open, 2 Masters, and 2 Laser Radials. The clubs represented included the Fanshawe Yacht Club, Conestoga Sailing Club, and the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club (RHYC).

Winds were strong on the Saturday, allowing six enduring races to be held. And it was all about endurance. With no lunch or snack break the entire day, the sailors were pushed to the limit of their physical and mental capacities. Okay, maybe not that far, but I remember being tired; and hungry – almost hungry enough to eat an entire pig. Some sailors, however, excelled in the strong wind conditions and gave Brad a run for his third straight Grand Bend Laser Open title.

In the sixth race, a double lap windward-leeward course was posted, straying from the single lap races of the previous five. With such large upwind legs, it was difficult to pick the right side, let alone maintain boat speed in the wind and waves. Impressively, and maybe surprisingly to some, it was the masters, Jens Biskaborn and Rick Goldt, showing the younger sailors a thing or two. On the second upwind leg, both Jens and Rick were clearly behind Brad Biskaborn and David Castle of RHYC, who were on their own upwind battle. However, choosing the opposite side from Brad and David paid off. The amount of distance gained was enough to earn Jens a second, and Rick a third; both ahead of Brad. I’ll let you guess which race the masters talked about for the rest of the weekend. No; the rest of the season.

And as if that double-lap, massive race wasn’t enough, another race was held within 20 minutes of the last start cut-off time for the day. Still no lunch break. A whole pig was sounding pretty good right about then. Clearly, endurance was everything in the last race; and Brad responded by assuming his place back at the front of the fleet.

After a long day on the water, the sailors were treated to a Canada Day pig-roast hosted by the Grand Bend Yacht Club. How ironic is that? There actually was a whole pig. I actually couldn’t compete with Brad’s massive plate of pork; apparently there’s a connection between protein and race results? Brad seemed to think so. But Sunday’s wind might have changed how much some of the sailors ate.

Winds were light on Sunday morning, a welcome change for some of the lightweights. Rain accompanied the first and only race of the day. While Brad was probably regretting his substantial appetite from the night before, it really didn’t seem to matter. After an impressive downwind leg on port by the lee, the race was clearly won by Brad Biskaborn followed by Kevin Biskaborn – unable to steal Brad’s first place bullet, breaking the streak from the two previous years. My excuse? No lunch break on Saturday. However, following this race, a postponement was held to see if another could be held in the light winds. One smart Alec master sailor was quick to point out that I could now, finally, have a lunch break. Thanks, Dad.

This year’s regatta was definitely different from the previous two. First of all, it was held at the end on June, rather than August; rain and dark clouds accompanied the racing; Brad fell short on the bullet count (but not on what mattered); and Steve Dietrich was not heard barking on the race course (we missed you Steve!).

Thanks to go to: Rick Goldt for all his organizing efforts; Peter Wilkins for running the race committee; Tom Quigley and all the members of GBYC who helped out with the regatta and allowed the use of their facilities.

If you didn’t make it this year, be sure to hit up the Grand Bend Laser Open next year for your chance at breaking Brad’s winning streak (odds in winning are subject to the number of boats registered; no guarantees; ramming allowed – his haul is blue and white).

Official Regatta Web Site | 2008 Results | 2008 Photos