by Chuck Luscomb » Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:27 pm
Well, Mystic is now in the History Books as they say...
Sunday
We arrived to overcast skies and the Seaport Staff electing to not hoist their huge American Flag due to impending rain. Well, it didn't do that. By noon, the skies started to clear up and the Sun came out and we had day two of a picture perfect event. The breeze started South with some SE creeping in now and again and then as it did the day before, it settled on SW at 10-12kts and provided some of the best racing we have had in some time. Steady but shifty enough to reward the witty and sly in the fleet and no lead was secure we came to discover.
Some observations...
I have been to many regattas over the last several years and I must make a comment about this one in particular. The level of skill and sportsmanship at this event was one of the best I have ever been to. I have also never been to a regatta where while locked in battle for the lead with three or more boats, fits of laughter could be heard and the one liners were some of the best. The skippers seemed to stand together in the control area for no other reason as to not miss any one liners that seemed to be in ample supply.
For example, Al Dion was leading a Sunday race after the first weather mark rounding with Dave VanCleef and Chuck Luscomb in hot pursuit and while walking the length of our control area, Al notices a wad of money on the ground and bends over to pick it up. His boat of course turns 90 degrees and no one knows why until we see him collecting the cash and putting it in his pocket... needless to say, the comments started to fly and I am not sure I have ever laughed so hard.
No harsh words were exchanged at any point and congratulations were handed out and handshakes all around when anyone did well. Really fun.
Nicely done gentlemen and my hat is off to each of you. Sorry it is over and I look forward to sailing with you again.
We were able to complete 27 races by Sunday at 2pm and the final standings looked like this...
1-Chuck Luscomb 44pts
2 Al Dion 82pts
3-Bruce Walton 90.83pts (R)
4-David VanCleef 115pts
5-Jamey Betz 125
6-Kevin MacLellan 129pts
7-Bob Greer 132pts
8-Don Barker 141pts
9-Phil Tonks 176pts
10-Tim Stone 188pts
11-John Skerry 223pts
12-Dave Branning 227pts
13-George Townsend 259pts
14-Jack Baldwin 261pts
15-Eddie Wolf 292pts
16-Biff Martin -withdrew-
Full report with photo link here to follow.
Chuck
USA 84 "SECRET"