|
Jim Cook One Design Regatta
November 3-5 Catawba Yacht Club, Charlotte Report submitted by Gareth Ferguson. |
 Fifteen Wayfarers and eight MC Scows traveled to Catawba Yacht Club from as far as Ontario and Maryland for the Jim Cook Memorial Regatta. Saturday started with a steady 4-6 knot north wind, allowing Wayfarers two races and the MC Scows three, before the wind lost its sense of direction for an hour. The day was ended with two short races in a drifter of a south wind. Make your own pizza, a Jim Cook-inspired tradition, and live music in the evening allowed sailors to tune out the mental fatigue that accompanies light wind sailing. Sunday morning saw clouds covering the sky, making the racing noticeably chillier. 3-4 knot winds, with the threat of dropping even lower by noon, meant the racing had to get off quickly. Two short races were finished before the wind did indeed shut off, leaving a third start abandoned and the fleets sent home. More than the racing, this weekend was about remembering Jim Cook, a well loved Wayfarer sailor, who was killed in a collision while rowing on Lake Wylie. Catawba Yacht Club held a ceremony during the awards to name a part of the club as the Jim Cook One Design Center. Trophies for the Wayfarer class were made by Jim's mother, Joan, while Jim's daughter Nora designed the logo for the regatta. Warm words were spoken, and traditions were honored and created. Wayfarers 1st place - AnnMarie Covington and Gareth Ferguson 2nd place - Jim Heffernan and Jim Best 3rd place - Peggy Menzies and Maggie Helmen MC Scows 1st place - Dave Forrest 2nd place - Fred Herr 3rd place - Jan Havmoeller |