Recap – Mad Cats Regatta 2022

Beautiful weather is always a good way to start a regatta but unfortunately it was hot, and when you’re cooking in the sun it means there’s probably not much wind. 

As with last year, we had some of the local cats launching from the Madison Sailing Center in Warner Park and some shoving off from Burrows park. I was a part of the Sailing Center crew this year so if I missed some of the happenings, please excuse me.

Friday was a great day to set up at Burrows Park and great wind. Robert and Larry, a new CRAW sailor from Florida, and Daniel and Ben1(there are now 3 Bens) got out for nice sails. We welcomed our Florida guest by having him help Brett push the algae away from the landing. For this, Larry wins the Muckraking Award.

We had to postpone on Saturday waiting for the wind to pick up and fill in the middle of the lake. Once it filled in enough we had 2 nice snailing races (yes, snailing) where it was important to have course knowledge, proper boat tuning, and smooth sailing. You were consistently having to change sail shape and position on the boat to keep it balanced and flat in the water. Kurt was in first place with the ringer Emmet from Chicago, followed by Chris and his ringer Alley.

Away from racing now, almost everyone in CRAW along some of the Mendota Yacht Club sailors and members journeyed up West Washington Ave. to our rooftop party venue. Thanks to Laura Gallagher, owner of the Creative Company marketing firm, for hosting us in her office building. This was year two of the Saturday after sailing dinner here and it has been great both times. We had an expansive menu of salmon, steak and porta bella mushrooms courtesy of Brett and many volunteers who helped set up. The dining with a view of downtown Madison, Lake Monona, and the capitol building was spectacular. Afterwards, Daniel led a field trip to State Street starting with ice cream at the Chocolate Shoppe.

Sunday was unfortunately a mirror of Saturday. Same wind, light but out of a different direction, and seas required using the same sailing techniques. Daniel’s Akurra had broken Saturday so he set up his Falcon and got a bullet on Sunday, so he got paid back for misfortune.

New sailor Ben and Ben sailed the legendary Harken boat placing XXX. It didn’t break until the tramp line gave out after the race.

Thanks to Phil and Carol for all their work organizing the race, Deb Whitehorse and Jenn Giles helped out on the Committee boat on Saturday. Daniel lent the services of his pontoon boat so they boated in luxury.  Matt and Audra staffed the RIB and the new key assembly meant we didn’t have to hot wire it. On Sunday we sailed with the MYC race so it was nice to have their RC and pro Charlie Geohring, former MYC Commodore.

Overall we wished we had more wind and races, but at least we got to enjoy the nice weather outside while racing, camaraderie and company of other sailors, and a great dinner. 

And the winner was…Kurt in first and Chris got second. Last thing: there was a tie breaker for third between Brian and Brett. They had the same amount of points and both their top places were third. The breaker was that Brian had one more third than Brett. If only Chris had beaten Brian on the last race I wouldn’t have to write this. Oh well, gotta do better next time.

Thanks everyone for coming and racing, Next Craw race is Two Rivers August 6,7 with a Robbie Daniel clinic before. CRAM racing in Michigan City next weekend and Mackinac Island the end of the month.

Eli Reese & Brett Hulsey