Lightning ACCs-One HOT regatta
July 29/30 2006
70 Lightning class sail boats
sailed in their Atlantic Coast Championships this last weekend at
Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club (in Beach Haven NJ, LBI). This event
was sanctioned by the US Olympic committee to also be a
pre-qualifier to compete in the US Pan American qualifiers to be
held at Annapolis in October of this year. The ultimate winner of
that event will go on to represent the US in the Pan American games
in Brazil in 2007. 70% of the boats came from local states (NJ,
PA, NY, MD, CT), but boats traveled from as locations as far as
Quebec, North Carolina, and Michigan.
SCORTCHING HOT, would describe
the weather, and sailing conditions best. A westerly system
prevailed over the standard strong southerly sea breeze, until the
fifth, and last, race on Sunday. The comments most given about
Saturday’s races sailed in 10-15 shifty wind with gusts, was that
the club did a fantastic job making sure everyone had the water they
needed. Then of course came Sunday, where the first race was a
grueling affair that started after several recalls, and a black
flag, and lasted almost 2 hours. The flies were much more prevalent
than the butterflies, although they seemed to be out in numbers as
well. The second race was postponed several hours until the sea
breeze was fighting to come in after 2:00 PM.
Debbie Probst, and her female
team of Monica Jones, and Cindy Kelly seemed to master the
conditions most consistently as they won the event by five points
over second place contender Jim Crane (3rd in 2003
worlds). He was followed by the 2004 North American Champion Allan
Terhune in 3rd, and prior NA champion Jody Lutz sailing
with his son, in 4th. The competition in this regatta
was fierce. The depth of this regatta is even better demonstrated
by the respective final positions of the winners of each of the five
races: 23rd place Joel Humprey won the 1st
race, 11th place Ian Jones won the 2nd, 5th
place Jeff Linton the 3rd, 10th place Keith Toboata the
4th, and 3rd place Allan Terhune the 5th. To round out
the others in the top 10: 6th place was Nicole Breault,
8th Neal Fowler, and 9th Ched Proctor.
Thanks were given repeatedly
by the contenders for the excellent regatta organization and
club facilities and sailing venue. The Schneiders organized the
regatta and had incredible assistance by many volunteers. Special
thanks should be given to: Bonnie Lenhard for registration, Jack
Lampman for preparing the parking area, Mike and Nancy Davis for the
Breakfasts, the crew of Bob Cronin, Tom Greenwald, Nils Herdelin,
Bob Morris, and Charlie Barkley for getting the boats in and out of
the water efficiently, and Richard McOrman for pulling them out of
the launch area, Robert Stevens organized and ran the races in
challenging conditions, John Coyle supplied the patrol and safety
support, Nina Gilman and Jan Gartland coordinated the scoring, Timmi
Vesci and Pat Miller organized the lunches, Ken Klaus the after race
dockside reception, and Harvey Restrick the dinner dance. The
awards were obtained by pat Miller and Louise Reynolds. A typical
LEHYC display of coordination, volunteerism, produced an excellent
regatta.
