2005 US Nationals

Dear All,

What I know is that we had eight boats attend and compete.  A guy named Ned finished ahead of a guy named Pat in all the races, and the boat that they sailed finished ahead of the other boats in all races save one.

It seems that we had six races on day one, Friday.  Trapezing was necessary for most of the legs in most of the races that day.  The team of Audrey and Duncan Schaefer managed to lead the fleet around one first mark in one race,Ned and Pat led around all of the others.

On Saturday, day two, The Goss/Crump "Borg" put the regatta away with an almost unbroken string of firsts.  The break came in the last race of the day, a race in which the Goss/Crump team and the Schaefer/Schaefer team sailed the course, one of a configuration different from the previous races,
in a manner different from the one suggested by the race committee. Both boats withdrew their placings in the race when realizing the error of their ways.  The team of Michael and David Braman claimed first in that race. (The Braman team is a team that stands to post an ever increasing number
of first places.  They're in their third year of Fireball competition.)

Other details on the regatta include the fact that Friday we were the only fleet on the course.  On Saturday and Sunday, we showed Thistles, Lightnings, J-22's, and Highlanders the way around the course.  The race management provided by Pymatuning Yacht Club was excellent.  Lines were square and courses were fair, challenging, and entertaining.  For sure, one needs to keep as many "sharp eyes" as possible peeled when sailing in mixed company.  (On the weekend, it was kinda' like sailing at CORK, although we didn't need to keep on the lookout for Tornados.)

Eleven races were scored, I think.  No throwouts were factored into the scoring, I know.  James Nunn crewed for Matt Barbetta in James' boat, and Matt has a leaner, hungrier look about him as a result.  (For this improvement we all owe James a tip of the hat.)  All us other Caesars will have to concentrate harder while racing due to James' efforts.

New boats were there.  Karen LaBarre was steered by Kristen Braman. When that boat is brought up to speed, concentration for others will be further taxed.  Graham Schaefer and Cameron/Glenn showed flashes of speed.  The part that I liked the most was that the collective and individual efforts of
Dave and Lainey White, Fred and Sarah Steward, Duncan and Audrey Schaefer,the brothers Braman, Karen and Kristen, Graham and Cameron/Glenn, James and Matt, and Ned and Pat made for good racing and fine fellowship.  Dave deserves several hat tips for his efforts in securing PYC as a venue for the event and helping the regatta to go forward smoothly.  The rest of us have
new stories to tell that include fresh images of races well-sailed, competitors passed, and rides worth hooting and hollering about.

Respectfully,
Duncan Schaefer/14819