Events

Lake Laser-Loaded for Club Championship

August 26, 2008 | by Kevin Biskaborn | Results | Photos

Seventeen lasers competed (in a closed, club members only regatta), including two laser radials, along with seven boats in the Open A fleet. The weather cooperated nicely over the weekend, although the temperatures were hot. The only storm to pass through came on Sunday before the racing. Winds were moderate with some good gusts from the South on Saturday, with lighter and sometimes fluky winds from the North-West on Sunday.

The Laser fleet was impressive; the largest I have ever raced in on Fanshawe Lake. The participants included: Brad and Kevin Biskaborn, Rick Goldt, "Team Canada" consisting of four Dietrichs (Steve, Jon, Matt and Jeff), Jacob Prapavessis, Matt Quinn, Mark ("one-day wonder") Perquin, Thomas Perquin (one of several lightweights "upgrading" from radial to full-rig), Kieran Waitschies (also an up-grader), and Jacob Marsh and Eric Richert (FYC race team members and up-graders). Nikki Quinn raced radial for the first time. Jim MacKenzie joined the action in the full-rigs on Sunday.

Over the course of the weekend, many of the Laser sailors had a leg at the front of the fleet, however, it always seemed to level out to the same three or four boats by the finish of races. Brad Biskaborn was consistently out in front (except when he decided to sail a different course in one of the races) and Rick Goldt was also doing extremely well, beating Brad for the first place bullet in three of the six races. As is usually the case, Brad's consistency paid off. Kevin also had very consistent results, however, he was unable to stay in front of both Brad and Rick at the same time.

For some of the sailors, their races are worth mentioning. Matt Dietrich was sitting in fourth place for an entire race, ahead of Brad, only to get caught by an unfortunate wind shift on the final upwind leg to the finish. Mark Perquin entertained the fleet in one race by rounding the first two marks in third place and screaming "What the heck am I doing up here?" Unfortunately, he too was unable to hold on until the finish. I know there are probably other stories worthy of mention here so the sailors are welcome to send additions to Kevin Biskaborn.

The Open A fleet was dominated by the single Wayfarer entry sailed by Jeff and Vera Eames. Unfortunately, I don't have many stories about the Open fleet other than that Mark Anderson did an exceptional job of taking Brad's wind on one downwind leg and his attention off the races with the "cat-calling". We, the laser fleet, appreciate your efforts Mark!

The Champion of Champions race was held following the racing on Sunday and was sailed by the first place finisher in each of the three fleets: Brad Biskaborn for the Laser Full-Rigs; Nikki Quinn for the Laser Radials; and Jeff and Vera Eames in a Wayfarer for the Open A fleet. It was an interesting start with the Wayfarer attempting to bury Brad; a valiant attempt, but it resulted in the wayfarer being over the line early and having to re-round, giving Brad time that you just can't afford to give him. In the end, Brad won the race ahead of the Wayfarer by two minutes on corrected time giving him his third straight FYC Club Champion title. Congratulations Brad – we'll have to get Mark to try harder next year. The radial finished 40 seconds after the Wayfarer in corrected time.

The weekend went very well and the racing was great fun. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in making it happen: Hans Schaffner and Peter James on the Race Committee; Andy Turnbull and Rob Perquin on the safety boats and taking pictures; Ross Green and David Morash on the safety boats; Patricia Waitschies for taking the photos to be used on the awards for each sailor as well as taking the time to purchase the prizes; Mark Anderson for his help at registration and organizational support; and to Kevin Biskaborn for the pre-regatta organization and award certificates. If there is anyone I have missed, I do apologize. We appreciate the help and contributions from everyone as our racing program depends on our volunteers. Thank you to everyone who gave up time over their weekend to make this regatta a success.

Apologies go to Matt Dietrich who was accidentally awarded a higher (worse) finishing position than he actually earned due to a miscalculation in the results. His award has been corrected and the results adjusted accordingly.

Other highlights from the weekend include: the Dietrich family pulling up in Team Canada t-shirts and delivering a tasty plate of pastry to Brad to satisfy his Finn appetite; being barked at and buried by "The Hound" (Steve Dietrich) on particular aggressive start only to be buried again by Jeff Dietrich on that same upwind; Sunday's capsizes and turtles on a glass lake; and actually having to fight for room on the start lines – not a usual occurrence at our closed club regattas, but definitely one we'd like to keep around.