Recap – Windjammers 2024
An unstable weather forecast greeted the boats on Saturday morning of the 2024 Windjammers Regatta. Early afternoon thunderstorms for Saturday and high failing winds midday on Sunday was the general forecast we had to work with.
By 11 am all the boats were on the line for the first start. With a N-NE wind of around 10 knots and a lumpy sea state all boats were clear at the start except for the Reese boat who had an otherwise perfect start although about 3 feet early. Clay gained early on the shore side of the course sailing one of the three A cats. After two laps the Tornado of Martin’s pulled ahead of Kurt’s 18 by a full 2 minutes.
Race 2 started in the same 10 knots backing a bit but oscillating around the N-NE. The weeds left over from an earlier breeze, a softening breeze, and the accompanying oscillations were a challenge for all. The Polish prince on the Tornado sailed a very good race again pulling ahead of Kurt by almost 3 minutes after 3 laps. Hearns were third with Clay pulling ahead of the other A cats.
The weather was starting to threaten the 3rd race of the day. An oscillation to the NE on the first beat mixed up the fleet some but ultimately Kurt pulled ahead of the Tornado for first place by about 30 seconds after several position changes throughout the race.
The races were abandoned for the rest of the day just in time to get the boats on shore before a couple of torrential downpours. This did not stop an excellent burger feast provided by the club. As always, the members of Windjammers were very welcoming and helpful.
The goal on Sunday was to get three races in if possible so the race committee started with two 1 lap races. The wind again started at 10-12 knots this time again N-NE with some oscillations making for heads up racing. At the first mark it was the Hearns closely followed by Clay on the A cat, Kurt and Liz on the 18, and Martin on the Tornado. Kurt sailed well on the last leg for the win followed by the Hearns, the Tornado with Bryan and Arden a close forth.
Race 5 was again 1 lap with the wind holding at about 12 from the N-NE. Reeses were first at the first mark with Daniel and Clay close behind. With Kurt fighting a tight hourglass in his chute. Reeses sailed well downwind, with Kurt catching up with Daniel between. But on the trip back up to the finish Marten played the shore and shifts and gained for a close race with the second place Reese boat.
The last race of the day called for 2 laps. A good breeze of around 14 knots and closer to the N made for a good long race of about 40 minutes for the leaders. At the first mark it was Daniel, Reeses, Marten, Kurt, Clay, Jeremy, and Bryan. The Tornado played the shore and current well to lead at the leeward mark. Second weather mark found Reeses passing three boats on the offset leg then they flipped 100 yards later. Kurt fouled his spinnaker, breaking his spin pole. The tornado and Hearns then pulling away with Bryan and Arden a close third.
Overall, the weather did not deter from the regatta at all. Six good races completed and a good meal to boot. This made for well over 45 years of multihull regattas at Windjammers and the first time in 45 years that Chris Blake did not attend (due to a schedule conflict). Thanks to all that attended and volunteered to continue the tradition.
Guy Selsmeyer