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Nationals Crews Prepare

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/31/2006 : 20:05:23

CLEVELAND, OH – Racers are in the final stages of preparation for this years Catalina 25 National Regatta to be held at Edgewater Yacht Club (EYC) on the shores of Lake Erie. Seven races are scheduled over 4 days including two 10 mile courses, the event commences June 22, 2006.

The 20th annual (almost annual) regatta will be held in conjunction with Cleveland Race Week’s PHRF weekend. 10 boats will competing for the overall national champion and class national champions for these 25 foot yachts. Three previous national champions are expected to be in attendance. Ron Howell, Bill Meinert and Steve Milby all have won at least one national event in their respective classes. Milby and Howell the tall rig 2003 and 1999 champions respectively and Bill Meinert the 2003 Standard rig champion.

Milby, who recently has sold Captiva Wind to move on to a larger vessel will be taking on the role of tactician and advisor aboard Kip Casada’s Quietude. A standard rig, with an inboard engine and fixed prop, a rarity amongst this almost 6000 built national fleet carries a 4 second allowance compared to similar non inboard vessels. This four second rating and combined prowess of Milby will make them a force to be reckoned with.

Duane Wolff and Harvey Peterson, a bunch of perennial talkers with very little to show, holding only a local JAM regatta Champion and a JAM regatta Second place aboard The Flying Wasp each of the last two seasons at EYC respectively expect to bring their local knowledge to the competition. Normally racing on what most racers consider to be OPB’s, (other peoples boats) they have very little time to gel with their new tactitician and jib trimmer before the start of the first race.

Jack Metzel, a perennial favorite and host of the Nationals the last time it touched the Great Lakes (According to Al Gore) in 2001 might well be the Susan Lucci of Nationals. Always a bridesmaid and never a bride, Metzel hasn't taken home the coveted trophy....(history is uncertain as to whether he has ever captured a title, nor if he even raced more than once – but he was right up there in the running in 2001)

We haven’t yet heard from the defending 2005 Overall champion, but surely would put him as the odds on favorite should his registration arrive. Race administrators have noted the gas prices being a definite deterent to this years regatta, coming from Wichita has to weigh heavy into the decision with especially when most owners getonly single digit mileage per gallon.

The fine yacht theRed Sled, helmed by Mike Humphries is expected to be the first boat to arrive. The Red Sled will be entered in Tuesday nights Women’s regatta and will be making the shortest trip over land to attend. Hailing from Atwood lake, Mike quite possible might spend more time loading and launching that he will driving. The early race will give him the opportunity to make those last minute rig tuning adjustments.

John Vining, sailing with Al Eckhart is still trying to get his ninth cousin - 5.4 million times removed to put the fix in for him. Mike Vining, (who most would say is not any relation – except for these two guys) a past commodore of EYC refused to comment. Rounding out the fleet, but definitely not “also rans”, are Ben Shremshock – a southern Ohio architect sailing aboard Adventurous, Alan Clark on Leprachaun and Dave Turner driving Double D.

Local owner Rich Weiner still hasn’t jumped on the band wagon, and might not due to time considerations. Bob Sirekis is also lurking in the shadows, trying to make that short jaunt from Buffalo to drop his boat into the mix.

Numerous prizes, donations and beer is expected, including a talk by professional sailor Greg Koski, of Doyle Sails in Cleveland.

Part time Houston odds maker, and also former National Champion Derek Crawford has yet to weigh in with this years odds which are expected before he makes his pilgramage to some sunny equatorial island, but by all indications it is a very tight spread.

-30-

D. Wolff
DPO C25 Hull 401
Currently Sailing "Champagne and Ripple" 1982 O'day 30

Chief Measurer 2002-2006
Vice-commodore 2007

Edited by - Champipple on 06/02/2006 19:08:52

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2006 : 12:38:40

Houston?? That over-populated stinky place! I'm from the prettiest city in the USA - San Antonio!!
I would make Gary Savage 2 to 1 to capture the short rig title (and if the wind pipes up above 18 knots he'd be favorite for the overall again). Bill Meinert 5 to 1. Jack Metzel 7 to 1. Steve Milby 10 to 1 (that 4 secs isn't enough to overcome the extra weight of the IB). Duane and Harvey - just take lots of beer along...

And no, I don't personally take any bets - find your own bookies!

Derek

Edited by - on

wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

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USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2006 : 18:17:02

Hey Guys, your going to have to come up with an award for the boat and skipper who has shown up at the most National Races in a row! I'm amazed that our Texas Freind

only rates me 5-1, last year he didn't even know where Indiana was, let alone Ohio. He thought sailing in Kansas was fun, he should see the Great Lakes when it blows above 18 Knots

. I can hardly wait for the big show, and I will need crew too. So if anyone wants to race with a 5-1 odds let me know.

Bill Meinert