Jim Fletcher Memorial 2018 Saturday 19 May report by Steph Romaniuk
the 2018 Jim Fletcher Memorial regatta champions: Steph
Romaniuk and Sue Pilling and W397 Chich
I hope the weather didn't
keep folks away from this event because however dreary,
the sailing was rain-free and exciting with tolerable
wind speeds of 5-10 knots, holes, shifts and all that
other small lake loveliness (sarcasm optional). Seven
boats took part in the one-day event, almost half of
which hailed from Ontario including David and Anne Pughs
from the Mississauga SC, Parry Sound's Sue Pilling and
Steph Romaniuk and a surprise appearance by Jan and
Alannah d'Ailly from the Conestoga SC. The American
teams were our gracious hosts, Marc Bennett and Julie
Seraphinoff, Dave & Dave (the American version -
McCreedy and Wilpula), Susanna Tellshow with William
Hale and in a Lansing SC club Wayfarer rigged at the last minute to
join us, John McHill with Dennis Dudley!
There was lots of time to
rig, visit and pop around to help others rig as well (above).
I've always been amazed by how helpful everyone in this
fleet is. We headed out onto the water to start racing
about noon and the Race Committee did a great job in the
typically challenging conditions here. A short once
around windward-leeward race started us off and after a
course adjustment, the RC ran six more back-to-back
races. These short 20-minute
races were a great way to work out the winter
kinks and practice your skills. But they were also a
reminder how out of shape you are and the abuse you
endure while having so much fun.
Jan and Alannah d'Ailly look excellent as they make Marc
and Julie play catch-up.
(l to r) Marc and Julie; David and Anne; Sue and
Steph; Dave McCreedy and Dave Wilpula
The Pilling, Pugh and
Bennett teams were trading positions in the top three
spots for the most part, but were challenged and passed
at times by the other two Hartley boats (Double-Dave and
the d'Aillys). The turnaround on races was quick as no
boat was very far behind, even those with no spinnakers!
We were in and packing up by three. We were even graced
with about five minutes of sunshine before we ignored a
rain storm while we enjoyed our beer and BBQ'd brats
under the club shelter.
To calm
those who feared we had BBQ'd misbehaved kids, the
above were the BBQ'd brats Steph was referfencing.
Regatta Co-Chairs, Marc Bennett
and Julie Seraphinoff
The great thing about this
event for the Canadian visitors is that Monday was the
VIctoria Day holiday and gave us a travel day in
addition to taking it easy and exploring the extensive
artisan market in East Lansing. We are very surprised
that more boats don't take part in this great
'kick-off-the-season' event. All the sailors had a great
time and we owe a world of thanks to Mark and Julie and
their team of volunteers.
