The 2010 Door County Breeze hosted 23 racers, several recreational sailors, along with family and friends over the 4th of July weekend. Steve and Jan Vande Corput once again did an excellent job with the regatta. Along with their suport team they ran 9 course races plus a fantastic distance race, provided a delicious meal Saturday night, gathered local support that included numerous raffle prizes, and made sure everyone had a great time.
The first of what is planned to be an annual windsurf event at the New London Ohio reservoir and campground was a big hit. On Saturday afternoon we counted some 40 windsurfers and that didn’t include spouses, friends and kids in attendance. It was a beautiful hot July weekend and we had awesome wind allowing the RC to get in 8 races on Saturday and another 4 on Sunday. The campground had special camping rates for windsurfers that weekend and it was great to see a welcome sign for us at the park entrance.
Welcome Windsurfers
Windsurf Point at New London Reservoir
The long part of the reservoir runs east west and the traditional west winds that showed made it possible to set up a large square course with an M mark in the middle. The start line was positioned right in front of the beach area at Windsurfer Point where over a dozen windsurfers camped out by the water for the weekend. Several others camped out in the adjacent campground area while some just did a daily commute from home. Click small photo for larger view of Windsurf Point.
A big thanks must go out to the New London Village and campground workers and volunteers who worked hard to get the park looking great. They also stepped up big time by contributing great T-shirts and large engraved trophies for racing awards.
New London T-Shirts
The camping atmosphere made for a fun weekend with the group setting around a campfire late into the evening sharing windsurf stories.
Sunset over the west side of Windsurf Point
Saturday from 2 to 8 the Rez Jam was going on with Bluegrass bands playing on a flatbed stage. So we had music while we raced plus some added spectators.
Rez Jam Bluegrass Bands
Thanks to MOWIND president Phil Sage for organizing the event. His son Matt was working hard as well as course setter Eric Rahnenfueher. Plan to make it out next year to race or just day sail and help grow the Reservoir Rendezvous Regatta (RRR).
About half of the 2010 MOWIND Race Series has been completed, and scores have been tabulated from those reporting. Please send completed scores to Arden, ardenalan@gmail.com if your regatta is not yet included.
Scores are posted on THIS PAGE, and will be updated as new scores become available.
Remember that the Series Score is calculated by totaling your highest FIVE scores from the season. Making sure you get at least five scores registered for the season can greatly improve your ranking at year’s end. The next event on the schedule is a fun one that everyone should make a point to attend at least once: the Door County Breeze Regatta, hosted by Steve and Jan Vande Corput in Ephraim, WI over the 4th of July Weekend. I’ll see you there!
After overcast skies and rain all Saturday, the weather was a bit better on Sunday. No rain and fewer clouds, but also lighter wind. The Race Committee got us off to an early start in 5-8 mph winds on an outside loop course. Andy Gratton showed his light wind speed and took bullets in all three races. Alex Monroe also had a good showing to move into First Place in the Limited 8.5 and all the way up the 5th overall. In the Sport Fleet, Jim Magnuson and Tom Stokes sailed hard into First and Second Place, respectively.
After two days of racing the top finishers were rewarded with very impressive custom trophies that were hand made by Jeff Hegwer and his crew. I included pictures of the trophy in the Picasa album at this link.
Thanks to everyone in Worthington for making this such a great event, especially Jeff Hegwer, Jason Swanson, and the rest of the Race Committee. Even when the weather doesn’t cooperate, the people always come through to make sure the festival is a good time. Remember to come visit throughout the summer for the Midwest Speed Quest!
TOP FINISHERS
A Fleet Unlimited: (1) Arden Anderson, (2) Andy Gratton, (3) Peter Hartwich
A Fleet Limited 8.5: (1) Alex Monroe, (2) Kevin Gratton, (3) Ray Muller
Sport Fleet: (1) Jim Magnuson, (2) Tom Stoles, (3) Larry Reed
Workshop Fleet: (1) Dylan Gaskins, (2) Kale Johnson
Great side shore winds held true all day long making the windward leeward legs a true upwind and downwind workout. The first race and last race of the day had nice 10 mph winds but the rest of races the wind was maxing out the 8.5 Prodigy Comp sails in the gusts. Four Formula guys were completing the course in good time along with several longboards. Ted S. showed up with a brand new Original Windsurfer and 6.0 sail and schooled the fleet in more than one race. Below the fleet gathers at afternoon break for pizza and pop while Nat S. decorates his sail with more tape.
Lunch break in Patterson Park
In summary it was a perfect summer day for windsurfing, lots of sunshine, high 80′s temps, a good south breeze and great competitors. Plan to join the fun there next time in 2011.
The buzz is growing for the July 17-18 Reservoir Rendezvous regatta held in New London Ohio which is located about 75 miles east of Toledo. The reservoir is very popular with Cleveland area windsurfers. A NOR has been posted. If you plan to camp it’s good to call the campground now and get your name on the list to help them plan. There will be some band music on Sat evening so bring dancing shoes.
Also coming up in Ohio on Aug 6-7-8 with check-in parties the evening of the 5th is the Put-In-Bay I-LYA Bay Week regatta. This three day regatta takes place out on the South Bass Island in Lake Erie though most windsurfers will be staying and launching from Middle Bass. Please note you need to register using the online system ahead of time, also you can make Miller Ferry reservations up to two weeks in advance. I would advise going over Thursday and spending a long weekend there returning late Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. If you can’t get off work early that week you could still sail the two weekend days of the regatta and have a great time. The state ran campground on Middle Bass is right on the water with launch beach. Also consider taking a bike and (lock chain) as riding is a fun way to get around the islands. Into FaceBook? Visit Bay Week on Facebook.
