The 2005 Wisteria Cup is set in stone. 16 sailors competed in 21 races over the two day event. The usual 420 foot runs with 2 ½ upwind and 2 downwind legs were used. Race 18 was the only one shortened by a lap due to a quick moving thunderstorm. The winds were almost ideal (a little off on direction) for the event with 6-12 knots on Sat. and 4-8 on Sun. However, on the final race, the wind gods showed why many want B rigs when they come to Charleston.

After the skippers meeting, race one began With Joe "Jeff" Walters beating Reichard "Papa Bear" Kahle by a few boat lengths. Five minutes were then given to all skippers to make adjustments before we started the run of three to four races followed by a 15 minute break. Papa bear looked like he was going to run away with it by winning the next 3 races, although Carl Olbrich got an "almost" win in the 4th race which he led from the start all the way up to about 50 feet from the finish line. I think he caught the "KAHLE SYNDROME". We All get it when he’s not far behind. It is best described as rapid heart rate, jittery fingers, impaired judgment, and the inability to breathe (We all feel for ya Carl). Race 5 lead to the beginnings of a few Papa Bear mistakes and Joe, who had been sailing consistently, took the lead with Chris Kakavas licking his lips on his heels. John Bottensek was sleeping or hung over (i.e. not doing well), while towards the back, John Garver (4 time cup winner), Mike Heister, and Alan Fernald, were eyeing the golden prize: The Wisteria Cup! The only prize that is worth anything. After race seven we broke for lunch with Joe 2 points ahead of P.B. and 20 back from them, John B. had Chris by one point. Meanwhile, seven competitors had a shot for 5th.

John B., after feeding and warming in the sun, woke up and won back to back races before he, Joe, and P.B. began to play hot potato for the lead, and keep away from Chris. At days end 14 races were run, with John Garver sweating the thought of "5 time champion? NOOOOO!! That cup hurts my eyes." Joe and John B. were at a stalemate for the lead with 60 with Papa Bear at 64 and Chris with 66 points. Gerry Cobley, whose beginning was less than stellar, had emerged in 5th over the Rick’s (West and Hawley), Carter Cain, and Carl. It was not a comfortable middle of the pack because Vernon, Rowley, and McInerny could pounce if anyone of those battling for 5th slipped.

Many have become accustomed to having the traditional Frog More Stew at Dick Gerry’s House when they come to Charleston, so seven trays full from one pot cooking (stirred with a paddle) was enjoyed by all (especially Rick Gerry’s dog Coda and Dick’s dog Crystal). Amongst the feast and spirits all bantered about the gains and losses of the day and days past. I guess you could say lies and tall tales were told. John B. did have an interesting story of redneck engineering at its finest. Your truck is out of gas? You are pulling an airboat? Got rope? WEEEEEE!! The gas station is only 4 turns and 10 miles away. Soon after, with bellies full, eyes drooping, and legs hurting, all retired to get some rest or work out hangovers before the next day.

Sunday started with clouds and a chance of rain, but there was wind so off they went. Race 15, in Dick Gerry’s mind, was the only race of the regatta. He led from start to finish, although he did try to give it up to the wolves on more than one occasion. Dick was the only skipper not in the top 5 to score a bullet. John and Reichard had 6 each, Joe had 5, Chris 2, and Cobley had 1. The best anyone else could hope for was a 2nd place finish of which Joe and Cobley had 5 and Chris and P.B. both with 3. WOW! Tough crowd! Joe had climbed back into the lead after this race before John B. took loose control of the potato.

Chris, Joe, and Reichard all met one fatal blow through out Sunday. Chris on race 19 had a long momentary lapse of reason, finding himself involved in 2 separate fouls resulting in 1440 degrees of spinout. At least both fouls were on the same race which was one of his 2 throw outs (1 for every 10 races). Joe, on race 20, decided to pack it up and tear down, only he did it at ¾ of a boat length from the finish while in 3rd. What a bad time for a dismasting. This forced him to throw his B-rig on for the last race which turned out to be the only extreme air race of the regatta. He easily won it. Papa Bear, whose three uncharacteristic races on Saturday involving a few penalty turns, was still hanging on to the lead before the last race, but met circumstances that normally, with his large leads, would not have mattered. P.B. placed 8th to make it unclear who had won the regatta. This race was John Garver’s super bowl. He placed 7th, beating Reichard as well as securing a one point victory over Mike. John was not going to be a five time champ this year (although I made him nervous by giving positions 13-5 before letting him off the hook). The top four were dying to find out how the dust settled. After tallying the scores and throwing out the two "OH NO’S", John B. had a 1 point win over Papa Bear. John threw 18 points, the lowest total in the event, while Chris dumped 23 to take 3rd place. All other competitors tossed 26 or better. And yes Mike Heister is thankful that Alan Fernald, in his first regatta, is the 2005 Wisteria Cup winner (the sailing’s free next year, Alan and I don’t know where Garver kept it but I had it in the drawer, in the corner, in the back of the closet during my 3 years)

All of those who participated in this regatta acted like true gentlemen which made it a pleasure to run. All issues were solved on the water. Zero protests were brought to committee for review (last place plus 7 was a painful thought for loosing a protest brought to committee). I want to thank all involved skippers and helpers alike for this smooth Regatta and I look forward to running it in 2008.

 

Rick Gerry, RD

 

1) John Bottensek 69

2) Reichard Kahle 70

3) Chris Kakavas 74

4) Joe Walter 78

5) Gerry Cobley 100

6) Carter Cain 122

7) Rick West 145

8) Rick Hawley 149

9) Carl Olbrich 152

10) Scott Vernon 169

11) Dennis McInerney 171

12) John Rowley 181

13) John Garver 230

14) Dick Gerry 187

15) Mike Heister 231

16) Alan Fernald 290