We had six Fireballs compete at the just completed Fourth of July Regatta hosted by Pymatuning Yacht Club, July 3-4. The regatta followed a four-day-long sailing camp directed by Dave White and Dick Briner. Ned Goss served as instructor at the camp. Ned passed his knowledge and experience of skippering and crewing high-performance dinghies to campers Audrey Schaefer, Mike Braman, Dave Braman, Duncan Schaefer, Matt Barbetta, Glenn Swartz, Cameron Broadwater, Phillip Pepera, Cathy Pepera, and Kristin Braman. The drill and practice at the camp did much to keep the racing during the regatta close.
After not racing Saturday due to lack of wind, Sunday saw the fleet complete three races. Winds were 10 - 15 mph during the first race and rose steadily to 15 - 18 for the final two. Gusts to 27 mph were recorded during the races. Three different boats led the various races at various times. All boats reported seeing themselves in the lower half of the fleet at least once during the regatta. The teams of Mike and David Braman, Graham Schaefer and Ned Goss, and Duncan Schaefer and Cathy Pepera took turns showing the way on the beats. On the gusty downwind legs the places changed often.
Several sailors at this regatta are early in their racing careers, and many skippers had new teammates for the event. Audrey Schaefer, who had sailed with Dave White at the EYC/Cleveland RaceWeek Regatta held June 19-20, sailed the regatta with Fred Steward. Ned Goss, often found in the forward section of Pat Crump's Fireball, sailed with Graham Schaefer. Lainey White was back in the saddle with her dad Dave. This mixing and matching seems to be improving the Great Lakes area breed. The team of Matt Barbetta and Glenn Swartz continues to improve as does Team Braman Brothers. Both of those teams will compete in this fall's True Value Challenge Cup, and both look to be tough to beat. The Braman Brothers led a race for a good, long while until they rinsed, and the Barbetta/Swartz team was looking a strong third in one until the boat gremlins grabbbed them.
Schaefer/Pepera-1, 2, 1. Schaefer/Goss- 2, 1, 3. Braman/Braman- 3, 3, 2. Steward/Schaefer- 4, 5, 4. White/White- 5, 4, 5. Barbetta/Swartz- 6, 6, 7.
Hope to see the same folks, and more, at this week's Sam Myers Memorial Regatta hosted by Pymatuning Sailing Club on July 10 & 11. The racing begins Saturday at 1:00 pm. Five races are scheduled for the weekend.
Keep on 'Ballin',
Duncan Schaefer/14819