by Dave_Branning » Sat Sep 08, 2018 6:41 pm
The 2018 edition of the Tilghman Regatta was a bit brief. A lot briefer than 2017 when we did not sail on Sunday afternoon due to heavy winds. This was to be a one day regatta with a scary forecast. The forecast of rain and 12-20 mph winds all day made the odds of this regatta getting all day exposure a long shot. The early morning was terrific as we opened the day with a 14 skipper/ RC breakfast at Two If By Sea Restaurant at 8am. By 9:15 the sky brought a downpour that lasted twenty minutes. We scrambled to our cars to play with our iPhones and wait. We then took off the A sails and went to B anticipating a pretty frisky north easter with a lot of chop to open the event. Some boats elected to sit this one out; a couple texted in the early morning and opted to avoid the rain forecast and stayed home, while 13 out of the 18 registered boats hit the line for race #1. Mark Rinehart and Don Barker had a great close duel and they nosed out Dave Brawner in third. Race #2 got under way and two skippers from race #1 did not start, and we had three DNF's netting only 8 finishers. Danny Thomas got the best of Mark Rinehart in this one with Dave Ramos in third. Dave Brawner rocketed to a terrific lead at the windward mark and on the first downwind leg lost rudder control and had to rescue his boat across Dogwood Harbor along with Mike Campbell. With this depletion record, we decided to take a lunch break and focus on some repair time.
After the break we were treated to waves washing over the undulating dock and rolling whitecaps a product of increased NE wind. Time for skippers meeting #2. We had two choices: #1, go race and experience more carnage, a rocking floating dock with slippery footing or, #2, award the prizes and adjourn to a comfortable clubhouse with Dark 'n Stormies and great conversation. Semed like an easy decision. So the Tilghman Regatta, 2018 edition was a great social day with a couple of races to interrupt the fun. To be fair, Mark Rinehart won this one fair and square, sailing really well. Thanks to all the skippers who traveled to this one, especially Don Ouimette, who came from Connecticut.
Here's the RESULTS:
1. Mark Rinehart 1, 2= 3
2. Don Barker 2, 5= 7
3. Dave Ramos 7, 3= 10
4. Dave Branning 6, 4= 10
5. Jim Flach 5, 8= 13
6. Danny Thomas 14, 1= 15
7. Don Ouimette 9, 6= 15
8. Scott Graf 8, 7= 15
9. David Brawner 3, 14= 17
10. Jamey Betz 4, 14= 18
11. Dom Bonanno 10, 14= 24
12. Mike Campbell 11, 14= 25
13. Rick Boulay 14, 14= 28
Thanks to Ken Shaw for his PRO leadership. Thanks to Bob Roe, Roger Vaughan, Jeannie Sandella and Scott Todd for RC, Chaseboat, Scorekeeping support. A special thanks to Elaine Hepkin, who along with a community board meeting in the morning, was able to whip up a great lunch break. Elaine also painted all the miniature lobster buoys for custom prizes. Stay tuned for pictures from Judy Bonanno. Watch this space.
Dave
EC12
Grace