2016 SINGLE HANDED CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
at 6.12.2016
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| Saturday, before the storms blew in. |
It has been 4 years since Dallas hosted the Single Handed Nationals. We had 20 competitors and we ran 5 full races over 2 days with a practice race on Friday. The conditions were very nice with a gentle breeze from the south and Doug P. won the practice race. We returned to a relaxing barbecue dinner on the docks.
On Saturday morning, the wind was 8-15 mph from the south. A perfect light breeze but not too light. We headed down to the south end of the lake again and completed 2 windward 2 1/2 races. Paul and Doug P. traded places with Doug 1st in the 1st race, and Paul 1st in the 2nd. Bruce was in 3rd, Burton 4th, and Marshall 5th.
Meanwhile, back at WRBC boat-club, Bowman and Aris set up lunch and we sailed back in to relax a bit. However, just as the race committee headed out and we started to raise our sails and head out - I looked south and could see a storm brewing.
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| The rains came and we delayed racing. |
A few headed out for a few minutes then returned quickly as the storm got closer. Then we stood around and watched wave after wave of heavy rain and lightning as we played a waiting game, hoping it would clear off.
Most of us had sailed back to the docks but Bruce had tied up at the finger pier. We were all standing around talking when we heard an instantaneous "flash crash" and maybe a few even saw some sparks flying around Bruce's boat. I jumped a few feet then looked out to where everyone was pointing and I could see the mast down.
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| C. won't take lightening lightly on a sailboat ever again. |
Once the rain lightened up, we all went out to examine the boat. It was pretty sobering to see the damage caused, shrouds fried, little black holes in the sail and boat - both top and bottom. Of course we are all glad no one was hurt and then of course, sorry about Bruce's boat - and in the middle of the regatta too. Lots more photos in the link.
We were all aghast but also a little fascinated by the damage. It kept looking like it was going to clear off, but by 3:15 or so, it was apparent there was another storm coming through so race committee called it a day and dinner was moved up. Several of us sat on the docks and it was nice and cool from all the rain. A perfect afternoon with a lightning show to the east from storms that had moved off. Then dinner was great again! Let's have Bowman always do the food!!! She is so good at it. Thank you, Bowman.
The weather didn't look that promising for Sunday when I checked Saturday night. However, we got lucky and had a beautiful morning with a little more wind than Saturday but still from the south. Bob G. and his race committee volunteers did a great job again of setting and moving the race course and we managed 3 windward 2 1/2 races before lunch, then calling it a day. Great lunch provided by Bowman once again, then awards were presented, and all returns to regular Saturday racing now! Hope to see everyone out there soon.
The Flying Scots provided the race committee and a huge shout-out to Bob G. for his leadership and expertise. Another huge shout-out to Bowman, for her excellent planning as far as providing the great food and drinks for the regatta. Special thanks to White Rock Boat Club (WRBC) for the donated beverages. And most of all, thank you to Paul for deciding that there should be a Butterfly Nationals this year - and it should be at WRBC in Dallas. Then he worked really hard to make it happen!
So many have contributed to this event. These things just don't fall from the sky. Everyone on race committee did their part. Thanks to Jim O. for the scoring and Frank for the NOR and SIs, plus helping clean-up and set-up prior to the event.
And then there were our sponsors. Thank you to the Butterfly manufacturer, Windward Boatworks, for the generous cash donation in support of the event. And to Aris and Mariner Sails for all the help during the event and generous cash donation. In addition, he had a small parts inventory on hand for our every need but it's hard to prepare for a sailboat being struck by lightning!
And thank you to Brad for the fantastic t-shirts. We love the design and material and sorry you didn't end up making it out for a race but hope to see you on the race course soon.
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| Paul and Doug won lots of awards and everyone commented on how great they were sailing. |
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| Nancy sailed great and took Top Woman and 12th place overall! |
The various trophies went to: 1st - Paul
2nd - Doug
3rd - Sandy
4th - John
5th - Burton
Top Woman - Nancy
Junior (changed to most Senior) - Tom
Perpetual trophies by race went to: 1st & 4th - Doug
2nd, 3rd, & 5th - Paul
2nd - Doug
3rd - Sandy
4th - John
5th - Burton
Top Woman - Nancy
Junior (changed to most Senior) - Tom
Perpetual trophies by race went to: 1st & 4th - Doug
2nd, 3rd, & 5th - Paul
Longest Distance Traveled - Colorado (Doug C.)
