by DBrawner » Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:03 am
In thoroughbred racing, the saying is “the horse needed a race” to get sharp. In model yachting, we all “need a race” after a long winter break to remember that the pointy end goes first. Four of the top five finishers at the 43rd annual Liberty Bell regatta got their race by sailing in the Champions Regatta a couple weeks ago. It is a big ask to expect people, who have been clutching snow shovels the past several months, to pick up a transmitter and be sharp. With that said, let’s talk about the regatta.
The weather forecast was not only accurate; it was also cooperative with two straight days of NW breeze giving us the chance to set the longest course possible at Laurel Acres. Our start line was really deep in the cove, the windward marks were just off the parking lot shore and the leeward marks were to windward of the start, just off the point. This gave us a monstrous first leg to separate the fleet followed by legs that were a bit more rational in length.
Surprise, surprise…Danny Thomas, Dave Ramos and Harry Mote were the top three finishers.
It was quite a treat to watch Harry Mote, Danny and Dave duke it out on day one. Though eight year old Harry trailed off later in day, he was holding the lead after nine races with two bullets, three seconds and a third. This was quite impressive to say the least, especially considering this was his first regatta of the year.
This was not a boat speed regatta. Danny and Dave showed they simply found and reacted to the shifts, puffs and opportunities quicker than the rest of the fleet. That part is always fun to watch. In the end, only two points separated them. Either could have been given the big trophy this time. I guess it was Danny’s turn to get it.
Harry continued his fine regatta winning a tie breaker with Dave Branning for third place. Dave Branning really got going on Sunday with four top 3 finishes to take fourth position followed by Don Barker, who could have used one more throwout, in 5th.
We had three skippers from the state of Vermont, Ken Shaw, Tim Stone and Phil Tonks. Ken took state honors with his 6th place finish. Tim had a much better day on Sunday than Saturday.
Victor Oberg, sailing the “Eat Mor Chikin” special, earned rousing ovations for both his bullets on his way to his best ever Liberty Bell finish, 7th place. Bob Shluger sailed an amazingly consistent regatta for an 8th place finish. At one point, he reeled off six consecutive 6th place races. Domenick Bonanno, sailing in his first Liberty Bell, showed he is a man to watch. On Sunday, he earned his first bullet followed shortly thereafter by his second bullet. Nice work rookie!!
Eighty three year old Mr. Joseph Cole rounded out the top ten. Joseph had six top 5 finishes on Saturday including a battle for the win with Dave Ramos and Danny Thomas. Joseph got an awesome 2nd in that race.
In a rare move, the race committee gave the skippers the chance at a Vladimir Putin endorsed “democratic” vote on racing as a single fleet or using the CESS Pool. Ramos changed his adamant vote for single fleet to one for using the CESS Pool with a single glare from the Race Director. No Problem.
So, we again used the CESS Pool for heat management, which proved to be a good choice, with the top six all racing together on Sunday. All the skippers got to sail 16 of the 24 heats. This system works well for the fleet size we generally get for the Liberty Bell.
Thanks to Nick Mortgu for handling the catering and the scoring for the regatta. Jim Flach, our newest EC12 owner, was once again the official photographer and helped with the finishes. Lisa handled all the baking. We’ll keep her around even after she may have forgotten the fudge in Saturday’s brownies. Everybody needs a throwout now and then.
Next stop on the Colonial Cup trail will be Spring Lake in May. Register soon. See you there.
1. Danny Thomas 26
2. Dave Ramos 28
3. Harry Mote 48 (won tiebreaker)
4. Dave Branning 48
5. Don Barker 58
6. Ken Shaw 59
7. Victor Oberg 62
8. Bob Shluger 75
9. Domenick Bonanno 83
10. Mr. Joseph Cole 96
11. Scott Graf 98
12. Bill Sysyn 101
13. Tim Stone 102
14. Phil Tonks 104
15. Martin Besant 107
16. Skip Hall 118
17. Dick Bardsley 137
18. Mike Denest 165
DB #53