2021 Corsica River Yacht Club Turkey Trot Regatta
The Corsica River Yacht Club hosted Comets and Penguins at the end-of-season event on November 20th. The third in a series of frostbite regattas that the Comets and Penguins sailed on consecutive weekends. This go round, as with the first, the Penguins out-numbered the Comets, this time 4 to 3. Instead of the 5-40 knot winds we had at Gibson Island, we had to wait a while for the wind to appear, and when it did, it couldn’t make up it’s mind. It started off south easterly but was predicted to go towards the south. Problem was, it kept oscillating so that the committee, ably led by Art Silcox on board Wick Dudley’s classic Matthew Brothers powerboat, was constantly adjusting the course. The chase boat spent most of the day, running back and forth moving the marks trying to keep the course aligned with the wind, which oscillated between southeast and south. The wind would shift, they would rotate the course, and then wind would shift back before they could get the race started. However, all of the beats required some degree of tacking, although some more than others.
The Corsica River always presents a challenge, be it current or fickle wind, and this event delivered with windlines, holes, and big shifts that left the competitors guessing which way to go, and lots of lead changes as sailing to the next shift or wind line was a key tactic.
Charlie Krafft, sailing with Donna McKenzie had a bit of luck and took the horn in the first three races. Bill Lawson, sailing with Colette Preis took second in the first two races and won the fourth race. John Majane, sailing solo, took second in race 3, taking advantage of a favorable shift and windline on the first beat and holding on for the win in the one lap windward leeward course with a mid leg start finish line. Sarah Freund sailing with Trevor Carouge, sailing in their third Penguin regatta, were in the mix, but their big boat experience did not translate to tacking quickly to take advantage of the very fickle and shifty breeze.
After racing, the sailors were treated to hot chili, cornbread, and grilled oysters, along with cider. Visiting Comet sailors from Bermuda, who attended the Comet Internationals in September, left a bottle of rum, which was available to fortify the warmed cider. Although temperature peaked around 50 degrees, there was a chill in the afternoon air and the firepit was a popular attraction to sit around while enjoying the repast. We are hoping this event will draw more boats next year. We were able to keep dry, using the crane to launch the boats off the dock, so no wet feet.
|
Boat |
Name |
Skipper |
Crew |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
|
9694 |
Otter B |
Charles Krafft |
Donna McKenzie |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
9677 |
Family Ties |
Bill Lawson |
Colette Preis |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
|
5282 |
QE 2 |
John Majane |
|
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
11 |
|
9631 |
Helium |
Sarah Freund |
Trevor Carouge |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
16 |