Here is the report from the 2009 Triangle Cup Dixie Region 3 race in Raleigh:
Triangle Cup 2009 May 2-3, 2009
This was my first time as RD for an RC sailboat regatta, much less an EC 12 Region 3 regatta. I was nervous! Having sailed a Vic for just over a year now.
Early on, I found there are a number of colorful characters who race this beautiful, but challenging boat in Region 3—especially in a blow, on a run.. These include, but are not limited to, the ever-tardy-but-almost-never-last Danny Thomas. He was even late for the Sunday morning 10 minutes pre-race group photo (something about no “#”#$&^$%$ ATMs in Cary), showing up five minutes before the first start. It also includes Frank Angel, a legend in the EC 12’s, who I had never been directly interacted before. His kindly but experienced manner put me at ease for what could have been a very nervous two days (Thanks Frank). Sixteen competitors from up and down the East Coast showed up to race!!!!
Saturday began with a light 2-3 MPH wind out of the south west, typical of Lake Johnson. While winds of 6-10 MPH were promised for that day, they were late in coming. We ran the seeding races to establish the A and B fleets. We then settled into a pace that allowed for a total of 10 scored races (20 total heats including the seeding heats). There were lots of wind shifts, typical for Lake Johnson, and lead changes were the norm. A brief shower threatened to make for damp skippers, but the threat passed quickly.
Very early, one of the local favorites, Bob Szczepanski, was put out by a defective rudder servo. Several servos came out of the woodwork, but none would fit the metal bracket in Bob’s boat. He reluctantly sat out the rest of the regatta, amusing himself with rescue-boat pilot duties, as several of the competitors did the “mast dance” (Thanks Bob). At the end of the day, Danny Thomas had a commanding 10 point lead.
Sunday opened with a challenging light south wind, making it difficult to set a decent windward leg on the course. As the morning progressed, the wind changed back to the southwest, and continued to build. Towards the end, it began to blow 6-10 MPH, with some very exciting gusts. We were able to run another 14 heats of A and B fleets. Most skippers were happy to hear the call for the last race.
It was a pleasure working with the regatta staff including:
John Amoroso – Co RD and windward mark official
Karen Szczepanski, Chase Thomas, Justin Flint – Scoring
Jock Gault – Photos
Doug Hale – Most every thing under the tent he arranged/brought.
Ronald McMenamin – Treasurer – arranging for lunch and handling the finances
Bob Szczepanski – Rescue Boat (Last minute volunteer)
Results:
Place Name Points Sail #
1st Danny Thomas 41 1405
2nd Gerry Cobley 45 1625
3rd Skip Allen 55 2112
4rd Baron Bremer 62 81
5th Chris Kakavas 66 236
6th Scott Vernon 96 880 Tie
7th Richard Proseus 96 1519 Tie
8th Carl Olbrich 113 1896
9th Frank Angel 144 1858
10th Doug Hale 157 1647
11th Mervin Jones 178 2174
12th Dick Gerry 180 1796
13th Tony Shoaf 190 1581
14th Eric Olson 207 2830
15th Jim Rutherford 231 1678
16th Bob Szczepanski 281 663 Equipment Failure
