Promo bumper sticker from ILCA North America (circa 2000). Rumor has it that an updated bumper sticker is coming soon!
In the near future the ILCA will be formerly announcing an expansion of the Apprentice Masters age group to 30-44 years of age (from 35-44). This will be effective beginning at the 2022 ILCA Masters World Championships in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico (ILCA 7: 5/30 – 6/7/2022 & ILCA 6: 6/9 – 17/2022 – more details online.
The ILCA World Council recently approved this change with the intent to “broaden the tent” by providing the opportunity for more adult sailors to compete in our Masters World championships.
The Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters prove that things do get better with age – both the sailors and the regatta itself which celebrated its 40th annual this weekend. Special guests Happy Hubard and Jim Rodgers were both toasted at dinner along with current competitor and Chef Alain Vincey who all sailed in the very first FBYC Masters regatta in 1981. Alain shared the story of how the regatta was founded – in typical fashion sailors sharing a beer after racing labor day weekend decided to bring their boats and race with only the masters the following weekend and such the event was born. 40 years later the tradition continues and hundreds of sailors have taken part over the years.
Happy Hubard, James Jacob, Jim Rodgers, Kenzie Hubard, Alain Vincey & Anne Rogers Photo by Paul Almany
This year featured 49 sailors, 42 of which hailed from Virginia, Maryland or DC. The largest group was 22 sailors hailing from Severn Sailing Association and they took home a great haul finishing 1-5. This year was also the first year that this event split out the Legends (75+) sub-division from the Great Grand Masters (65-74) and 3 sailors competed for Legend title.
Photo by Paul Almany
Weatherwise the weather was nearly perfect – mid to high 70s during the day, mostly clear and mid-50’s at night. Most of the races were sailed in 5-9 knots of wind out of the SSW. Most races lasted about 55 minutes which left a lot of time to make up for early mistakes and with such a large fleet, finding pressure and clear air were key – but so was being on the right side of the shifts that could come from either side of the course.
Henry Filter (SSA) got out to an early lead with bullets in the first two races. Bob Tan (SSA) had a solid regatta with all top 10 finishes. James Jacob (SSA), who is no stranger to the podium at this regatta, was fast all the way around the course in Sunday’s race to be a contender again. Ted Morgan (SSA) and Scott Williamson (SSA) both sailed fast to cement top 5 finishes while Jon Deutsch, the top sailor from FBYC, finished 6th.
Dave Waiting (SSA), an apprentice master, won the overall title for his second time with all top 5 finishes. Dorian Haldeman(SSA), Master, won the women’s title for her 4th time and was presented with a newly created Women’s perpetual trophy. The rest of the winners are as follows:
Overall Winner: David Waiting, Severn Sailing Association 1st Woman: Dorian Haldeman, Severn Sailing Association
1st Legend: David Hartman, NOMAD 2nd Legend: James Graham, Potomac River Sailing Association
1st Great Grand Master: Doug Hays, Southern Maryland Sailing Association 2nd Great Grand Master: James Knab, Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association
1st Grand Master: Bob Tan, Severn Sailing Association 2nd Grand Master: James Jacob, Severn Sailing Association
1st Master: Ted Morgan, Severn Sailing Association 2nd Master: Ken Mangano, Eastport Yacht Club
1st Apprentice Master: David Waiting, Severn Sailing Association 2nd Apprentice Master: Scott Williamson, Severn Sailing Association
Rick Klein and a veteran crew of Race Committee members did an excellent job keeping the course square and getting races started and finished. Their patience when the wind wasn’t right ensured we got the most out of the good wind we did have. Alain Vincey with help from John Hubbard, Anna Hubbard and all of the chefs put on a marvelous dinner of Lobster Bisque and Steak Au Poivre that was one of the highlights of Saturday evening.
Finally – thank you to all of the sailors who make this tradition part of their fall calendar. We really do appreciate having you and you are what make this regatta so much fun for the old and the older alike.
The amazing success story of the Laser, a thirteen-foot sailboat built by Ian Bruce of Pointe Claire, Québec, and of Performance Sailcraft, the company he formed to produce and market it. Simply designed, durably built of fiberglass, it is a pleasure craft that has brought summer sailing within everyone’s reach on coastal and inland waters around the world.
Severn Sailing Association and ILCA Fleet 10 hope you can join us for the annual Crab Claw Regatta, September 18-19, 2021! Aside from the excellent racing on both days, your entry fee includes a regatta sun gaiter to celebrate the 50th year of ILCA, a great dinner and cool beverages after racing on Saturday. Registration is OPEN
The weather for the Laser regatta turned out picture perfect. But thanks to the weather man who predicted rain all day we ended up with a small fleet. The moral of the story is don’t listen to the weather man because most of the time he is wrong!
With the exception of Scott Williamson who sailed a perfect regatta the competition was very tight. Congrats to Marilyn Spitz on sailing her first Laser regatta.
Thanks to race committee Dave, Marie, Stew and ground crew Brenda & Don for making this a successful event. After racing we all enjoyed pizza and cold beverages.
Jim Knab
Laser (8 boats) (top) Series Standing – 6 races scored
The ILCA Summer Regatta I on Saturday saw beautiful weather – mostly sunny with winds starting around 12 and building to about 15-16 knots out of the south west. We had 14 boats with 9 ILCA 7 (Standard) and 4 ILCA 6 (Radial) all starting on the same line making things more fun with more boats to race with around the course. Some of the Radial sailors were really fast and were nearby and beating many of the standards around the course. It kept things interesting at mark roundings.
FBYC’s junior coach for the summer, Francisco Renna, put on a clinic in the ILCA 7 (standard) fleet. He was fast all the way around the course and nobody came close to him in all 5 races. Rob Whittemore sailed consistently fast and consistently in the right spot to stay just ahead of Jon Deutsch and Luke Hayes who tied for 3rd place with the tiebreaker going to Luke.
Josh Bendura topped the ILCA 6 (Radial) fleet winning 3 out of 5 races. He was followed by Jordan Bendura and Logan Hayes.
David Hinkle and the RC did a great job keeping the course square getting us started cleanly. Photos thanks to Paul Almany.
34 boats in the open class! The first day was challenging. Only one very light wind race. The wind was patchy and avoiding the holes was key.
The second day was great. Four races in all sorts of conditions. Again avoiding the soft spots was key. It was the epitome of great Laser racing on a lake.
Paul Almany has shared a collection of photos he took of the ILCA Nationals in Norfolk. Paul asks if anyone publishes or shares them outside of the Google Album to be sure to credit him as the photographer.
ILCA-NA District 11 