Recap – Madison 2022

Mad Town Throw Down and Around the Lake Race – Mendota

On Friday night, the Sailors arrived and rigged at Burrows and at Warner Park Beach/Madison Sailing Center on beautiful Lake Mendota where Robert Krebs kept everything ship shape as usual. Nice night with some warm ups and we got to sail with Daniel Hearn to learn as much as we could the night before racing started.  He had us out on the trapeze right away and it was super fun and really different to what we’re used to sailing.

The next day we watched and tried to see what was happening and be a chase boat, but had to leave for other sailing commitments so didn’t get to see much of the racing as there were postponements.  From reports it was rain and doldrums for a while, but then really piped up for exciting action on Lake Mendota for 3 races.  The hungry sailing teams went to Daniel Hearn’s for a great BBQ! Thank you to Daniel for being such a great host.  

On Sunday, we got to sail with Chris Blake aka “Digger” on his Viper (Tilly crew) and Eli Reese on his F18 (Sophie crew) which was really fun and hard work trimming those spinnakers.  Both Eli and Chris were great teachers and helmsman. Conditions were steady 5-10 from the north and made for a great first racing experience. Total of 4 races on Sunday. Congratulations to the podium finishers.

1st:  Kurt Korte & Tyler Gruen

2nd:  Robert & Debbie Onsgard

3rd:  Martin & Ben Malcheski 

On Labor Day, there were four of the Catamarans which went out for the holiday Round the Lake Race on Mendota. Chris was a great teacher during the long race and even taught our Dad after the race.  He took a lot of time and showed us how to derig and showed us his trailer/camper combo (pet squirrels included). Only one crazy moment that shows he is not to be trusted.  He told me, Sophie, that the trapeze could take 2000lbs and would never break so I had nothing to worry about.  Little did I know on the next tack that the Chinese finger trap type of braid, slipped out causing the trapeze to fail and me to plunge into the lake mid race.  I swam as fast as I could, climbed aboard and we finished the race second to Randy and Erin. It was a great weekend and thank you again to Daniel Hearn and Chris Blake and Eli Reese, and his parents as race committee,  for a super introductory regatta for us and great racing for everyone!

Sophie and Tilly Niemann