Petenwell Recap 2012

2 for 2!

So far, CRAW is batting 1000 with the weather in 2012. After breezy conditions at Rock Lake, Lake Petenwell did not disappoint. 

Race organizers Nick and Shaina Conner set up an experienced cast of RC volunteers, and banged off 5 races on Saturday under winds of 7-12, and 3 more on Sunday with the breeze at 12-17. Fifteen CRAW boats were in attendance. 
Long boards were a challenge, due to lower water conditions in the Petenwell Flowage. In fact, veteran racer Brent Carlson and several others found the bottom with standard length Infusion boards at a shallow point just above the gates. But, with careful board management and some luck, the racecourse was predictable and the winds shifted very little. Pressure was king, and each race on Saturday saw multiple lead changes due to crews picking the right or wrong side of the course.

New boats shook up the leaderboard, with Ed “Chaos” Winders trying out how to make his F16 go fast, and Guy Selsmeyer and crew literally putting together a brand new Infusion at midnight Friday to race on Saturday morning. Note to all future racers…unless you want to see DNFs and DNSs, never, ever try this.

Sunday’s breeze came on strong. On Sunday’s 2nd race only 12 of 15 boats started. And for the final race in the series, only 6 started. Blake and Roebbecke struggled to corral the powerful Inter-20 rig, and fell back a couple of spots. Heavy weather skills and the ability to depower your rig was critical for race 7 and 8. 

In the end, Kurt Korte and Brad Winquist (F18) put the boot to the field, racking up 5 of 8 bullets. Blake/Roebbecke (I-20) in second, followed closely by father/daughter team Hearn (F16), and Guy Selsmeyer and JJ Johnson (F18) in 4th. Rounding out the top 5 were consistent finishers Brent Carlson and Chris Rothmeier (F18) despite not competing in race 8.

Next regatta…Windjammers, Green Bay!