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RedSled06
Deckhand

Member Avatar

USA
6 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/28/2006 : 18:29:57

As a Reader of this forum who had misplaced his Password and ID-and just re-registered.

I am just now coming back to earth after winning the National Tall Rig and Overall Championship. Thanks to Duane, what a great host. And Edgewater of course is a great venue. And all the competitiors, whether there to really contend or just to enjoy and participate. Thank You.

This was my first time racing in the dark. And first time on the tiller at Lake Erie. Had the conditions--waves, wind-been different I am sure that the outcome would have been different. As it was, the last day--even the last race--in fact, the last leg of the last race--the outcome was still absolutely uncertain. When we decided to go wing and wing with the whisker pole up--after deciding not to do it that way on the same leg of the prior race----we knew that if we blew it we would probably take a 3rd that race. And at that point the math got a little fuzzy.

Having the local crew that I had was crucial. The ladies from the North Coast Womens Sailing Association (NCWSA) really helped this small lake sailor to do well. They had sailed together on various boats for 2-3 years.

The 1st race of Saturday--race 3--when there was a mix up on the leeward mark--had we not seen The Flying Wasp turn around---we would have been out of contention. We took a 3rd. And then as we were eating a leisurely lunch between races and then suddenly realized we had 6 minutes to our next start--and were downwind in light air too far from the line. We made it just seconds ?? before the 5 minutes to start would have been up----which would have given the Red Sled a DNS. Again-finishing our chances for first. We took a 2nd that race and dropped to 2nd place overall. We fumbled that day. Tired. Totally different course that the 2 prior races. Low point for our team.

Sunday we knew that we had to nail the 1st start and really sail well. It happened. Just the right winds for an Atwood Sailor. And then the pressure was back on us. A screw up in that 2nd race Sunday and someone else would have had the hardware.

Of course having literally BRAND NEW sails certainly helped in a HUGE way.

And Repairing and refairing a beat up rusty keel that had big chunks missing. And wetsanding the hull and keel for MANY hours to get that tiny extra bit of performance.

We thought that putting the boat in the water on Sunday would allow much practice time--but the weather did not cooperate at all that week.

More crew for Longwind would have probably had a big effect on their performance. Especially in the 2 night races where there was more Air.

So I am humble and thankful for the outcome. I would love to see the event at Edgewater again next year. And have more of the Forum's members participate.

Sincerely,

Mike Humphries
the Red Sled

meh

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2006 : 21:09:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Having the local crew that I had was crucial. The ladies from the North Coast Womens Sailing Association (NCWSA) really helped this small lake sailor to do well. They had sailed together on various boats for 2-3 years.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Our Overall National Champion had a female crew? WHAT!!!!

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 05:55:24

Frank, I would put my money on a North Coast Womens Sailing Association Crew all star team over any of us jackasses any day of the week. Edgewater Yacht Club is their home court and they routinely field rolex teams, do Adams Cup regattas and a ton of others. They'd make me you sheperd and crawford look like we should have never left the dock. I'm not sure, other than his girlfriend, which of them he managed to steal for the week. But it was obvious that he had local help.

dw

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 10:37:44

Inconceivable! Clearly we fallen for one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is never get involved in a land war in Asia.

Edited by - on

Gambit
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 14:52:05

It was interesting to see Red Sled's account of the regatta. They sailed great.

Everett and I brought our families to Cleveland to enjoy the city while we crewed with Jack on At Last. We all had a great time as well as getting some hardware.

You can check out the picture below. I tried to get all the Cat25's but also captured some of the bigger boats and some party and R&R HOF shots. My batteries ran out before I could get all the sailors.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b339a1504538&sid=8Abs2rJo1Zs3zA

As you can see Duane and his club put on a great regatta. Hope to get back there again sometime.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 15:32:41

George, can you zip all those photos up and email them to me....

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2006 : 06:27:55

Congratulations on your win Mike. It was great racing against you. I hope to be able to race against you again at the Harvest Moon Regatta at Atwood. I need to talk to you about that.

Edited by - on

RedSled06
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
6 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2006 : 08:14:09

Yes. The Atwood Yacht Club Harvest Moon Regatta is the weekend of Sept 8-10th. Arrival on the Friday the 8th would be appropriate for anyone needing time and/or assistance getting the boat ready.

Atwood is an interesting and beautiful venue for sailing. All Catalina Sailors are welcome. C-25's would be racing JAM PHRF with other boats of similar size. couple Hunter 28.5's, some Beneteau's, other Catalinas. We also have a division for C-22's. For more details go to www.atwoodyc.com .

We also have one design----thistle, highlander, flying scot, lightning ?? scheduled.

It is a great time but certainly not on the level of Cleveland Race week.

The Catalina 22 Ohio State Championships were held there this last weekend.

Yes Ben, we would love to have you and anyone else attend.

Mike

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2006 : 08:19:25

Hey mike, do you have a fixed or swing keel?

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2006 : 13:43:02

Mike, send me an email so I can contact you. I can't figure out how to email you via the C25 site.

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

Members Avatar

406 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2006 : 14:14:27

Mike , You sailed a Great Race with a Great Crew, you are humble because you worked hard for the title, as do all the sailors. It was great meeting everybody. BTW George, Those are great Photos! How about Canidaiqua Lake for the Next Nationals..Its Deep enough.. We used to live in Rochester growing up... Lake Ontario Next?

Edited by - Alan Clark on 06/30/2006 14:22:00

wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2006 : 20:01:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RedSled06
 As a Reader of this forum who had misplaced his Password and ID-and just re-registered.

I am just now coming back to earth after winning the National Tall Rig and Overall Championship. Thanks to Duane, what a great host. And Edgewater of course is a great venue. And all the competitiors, whether there to really contend or just to enjoy and participate. Thank You.

This was my first time racing in the dark. And first time on the tiller at Lake Erie. Had the conditions--waves, wind-been different I am sure that the outcome would have been different. As it was, the last day--even the last race--in fact, the last leg of the last race--the outcome was still absolutely uncertain. When we decided to go wing and wing with the whisker pole up--after deciding not to do it that way on the same leg of the prior race----we knew that if we blew it we would probably take a 3rd that race. And at that point the math got a little fuzzy.

Having the local crew that I had was crucial. The ladies from the North Coast Womens Sailing Association (NCWSA) really helped this small lake sailor to do well. They had sailed together on various boats for 2-3 years.

The 1st race of Saturday--race 3--when there was a mix up on the leeward mark--had we not seen The Flying Wasp turn around---we would have been out of contention. We took a 3rd. And then as we were eating a leisurely lunch between races and then suddenly realized we had 6 minutes to our next start--and were downwind in light air too far from the line. We made it just seconds ?? before the 5 minutes to start would have been up----which would have given the Red Sled a DNS. Again-finishing our chances for first. We took a 2nd that race and dropped to 2nd place overall. We fumbled that day. Tired. Totally different course that the 2 prior races. Low point for our team.

Sunday we knew that we had to nail the 1st start and really sail well. It happened. Just the right winds for an Atwood Sailor. And then the pressure was back on us. A screw up in that 2nd race Sunday and someone else would have had the hardware.

Of course having literally BRAND NEW sails certainly helped in a HUGE way.

And Repairing and refairing a beat up rusty keel that had big chunks missing. And wetsanding the hull and keel for MANY hours to get that tiny extra bit of performance.

We thought that putting the boat in the water on Sunday would allow much practice time--but the weather did not cooperate at all that week.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">More crew for Longwind would have probably had a big effect on their performance. Especially in the 2 night races where there was more Air. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You are absolutly correct, I needed one more crew for the down wind to put weight up front. My only crew David was recovering from rotator cuff surgery six weeks prior and was limited in strength in his right arm and we had to modify my tactics i.e. no whisker pole down wind. Remember Mike I kept trying to swindle one of your crew to help me out, if I had known their qualifications I would have used a big stick

. Of the last 6 nationals that was the closest series I have had the pleasure to race in. And your right, new sails make all the difference. Last years finishers finished in order of the age of their sails. This was my 4th year with this set and I have raced over 50 races. Next year look out, I will have new ones.

Bill Meinert

So I am humble and thankful for the outcome. I would love to see the event at Edgewater again next year. And have more of the Forum's members participate.

Sincerely,

Mike Humphries
the Red Sled
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

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