Recap – Green Bay 2019

Saturday: 

Saturday morning we were greeted with little wind and hot weather. At the skippers meeting, we decided to postpone racing until there was some more wind. We sat around, set up our boats, and got to catch up with fellow sailors. Around noon, we finally saw enough breeze and set out on the water. Although there was a minimal breeze, it was still sailable and it was a beautiful day for sailing. The four races we sailed had some good moments and some “learning experiences.” We faced shifty wind, motorboat waves, and very puffy conditions. Despite this, I believe everyone had a great time and was thankful to be back on the water after a few no sail regattas. Saturday evening, Clay and friends grilled out chicken and hotdogs for the hungry sailors and had different salads and chips to choose from as well as some birthday cake. We sat around and talked, played cornhole and kan jam, and prepared ourselves for the next day of racing.

Sunday:

Sunday was a wild day, to say the least. That day there were thunderstorms going through most of Wisconsin, but they somehow managed to break apart right over Green Bay. Without the thunderstorms, we were set and ready to sail. Everyone went to their boats to start rigging but slowed down once we felt some of the gusts ripping through the marina. Some sailors were hesitant or packed up due to the wind but many had not had a lot of high wind sailing days this season and were excited to go out. Onshore we could tell it was windy, but out on the water, where there was nothing shielding us from the wind, it was windy! Brian and I, on the 16, decided, after sailing out to the course, that we didn’t want to risk breaking something or getting hurt so we headed back onshore. From the shore we watched the 9 brave boats start the race and practically fly upwind. We notice a boat tipped over going downwind and then saw some racers coming in. We didn’t know exactly what was going on. The crash boat then came in carrying Clay–with a broken leg! Several sailors jumped up to help wherever needed to get Clay into the ambulance and help Guy get the boat upright. Later we learned that Clay was going to be okay and we were all very thankful it wasn’t worse (not that breaking your leg isn’t bad.) Overall, the Green Bay regatta never fails to disappoint and always ends with some good stories.

Ally Hansen