Recap – Two Rivers 2021

Two Rivers delivers at the 2nd annual regatta for CRAW sailors.

The event was once again anchored with a Red Gear Racing clinic on Thursday and Friday, followed by a light air Saturday and a big-wave, stiff-breeze Sunday. The usual suspects were seen out in front of the fleet most of the weekend with Chris Blake and Gary Chu scoring a NET of 6 total points and adding to their dominating prowess of a regatta season on Chris’s new-to-him F16 Viper – tricked out with loads of world-famous Malcheski carbon fiber components. Guy and Clay were in their wake all weekend, but Clay decided to let seasickness get the best of him – still coming in a strong 2nd place with their always notable strong sailing. Kurt, who took 3rd, got everyone to sing him happy birthday a second year in a row in Two Rivers and as far as anyone can tell, he is still the buffest 60 something around. However, his old-man-crankiness came out after he kicked everyone out of his motor coach much earlier than usual on Saturday night.

The 4th place write-up should be penned by Daniel Hearn this week, but Daniel did not start race 6 allowing Matt and Dale to sneak up to 4th place on Dale’s F18. Dale was glad to NOT be at the helm on light-air Saturday because it’s far too boring for him, but he was all smiles crewing his boat in the stiff breeze on Sunday with super-inexperienced helmsman Matt Werner. Be reminded that it was just one year ago to the weekend that Matt took the helm for the very first time in his life on a lively C2 with then 11-year-old Eli Reese. With abundant coaching from Dale, Matt somehow found himself tailing, could we say world-class sailors….?, certainly the most experienced sailors in all of CRAW. Matt’s goal for the weekend was twofold. One, don’t break anything – failed. Two, beat the inseparable lovers who sleep in a very small tent together, Dustin and Tyler. Although on paper Matt and Dale beat Dustin and Tyler badly – like totally smashed them – Matt and Dale felt robbed of the opportunity to truly beat them since their on-shore shenanigans influenced their poor decision to not sail on Sunday, putting them in 11th place. Is there hope for these obnoxious, foul-mouthed youngsters? If anyone knew Matt Werner a few years back and knows him today, they might say there could be hope for Dustin and Tyler to grow into being mostly respectable men, buuut ….?

Other notable additions to the weekend would be Brian Hearn’s Saturday night wanderings. Ask him about the story the next time you see him. Also, Eli Reese was presented with his 2020 Youth Sailor of the Year Craig Nielsen Memorial Trophy followed by a tear-jerking explanation by Daniel Hearn of why Craig Nielsen has been memorialized by CRAW. Outstanding story, thanks for sharing Daniel, and again congratulations to Eli (pictures below). We all look forward to seeing him continue to mature as a sailor and young man. And please be reminded as you read this to encourage all of our youth sailors any time the opportunity comes up and lookout for opportunities to bring more youth into this awesome sport!Finally, CRAW had the privilege of sharing our awesome catamaran racing shenanigans with new sailors Robert and Debbie Onsgard and their Nacra 570 as well as Elizabeth Frost on her Nacra 15. They are already registered for the next regatta which means they really love to sail and we didn’t scare them too badly. If you haven’t already, please make sure to introduce yourself, give them a warm welcome, and learn more about them and their sailing experiences prior to joining CRAW. What an exciting time to see our organization grow and carry on its legacy!

Thanks again to the city of Two Rivers for hosting the Catamaran Racing Association of Wisconsin!

Matt Werner