July 13 & 14,1996

As was the case last year, this year’s regatta will probably be remembered for its beautiful conditions up through the morning hours, followed by thunder and lightning developed in a localized weather system in the higher elevations East of the lake. Race 1 (Marks 3, 6, 1s, 7, 8) had fairly classic conditions of about 10 knots of wind and tacking angles between 180° /270°-210° /300° and the occasional port tack lift on the way to mark 3 going as far down as 240° . Though typically 5 to 6 miles away from the lake (yet never closer than 2 miles), the lightning was sufficiently threatening to cause the postponement of Race 2 to Sunday at 10:30 A.M. Sunday’s weather was in fine form at the first warning and held firm just long enough to put in a repeat of Saturday’s race (course and conditions) and the traditional long parade of the lake for Race 3 (Marks 3, 4, 2, 6, 1s, 7, 8). Different from years past, Mark 4 (usually deep in the Billy Creek cove area, a hole if there ever was one) was relocated to the traditional spot for Mark 5, which in turn, was placed on the southern shore somewhat opposite of Mark 3. In addition, several new courses were added, just to shake up those used to all things predictable at Huntington Lake.

Now for the good stuff. The first start (combined A&B divisions) saw a classic approach to the Boy Scout camp. Lots of tacking on the way as boats struggled for clear air brought early commotion but Stu Robertson, having lost a favored pin end start to Don Barrus, managed to stay in clear lanes to lee shore. He excavated deeply into the nooks and crannies along the shore, using the tacking frays around him to his advantage. Once past the camp, which, on the balance, didn’t pan out much, he gave up his claim and quickly made his way to the right shore looking for the mother lode. He ground through a 10-15° header, finally striking it rich with some of that starboard tack High Sierra Gold. Of course, he took it all the way to the bank.

 Even better, however, was the sail clinic put on by Fleet 1’s own Al Perez, who, with his grand niece Ashleigh Decker serving as a Al’s crew for the first time, showed the majority of the fleet the wisdom of age (70 years and going strong) and experience as he deftly kept pace in fourth place all the way ‘round the course, finally to be passed just before the finish line by another (disrespectful J ) Fleet 1 member less than half his age.

Race 2 saw very similar conditions except a few boats went right much sooner than usual, having witnessed the fortunes to be earned the day earlier. Again, Stu takes the bullet with the Kincaids having putting in a strong second place finish.

Race 3 really started to shape up as a large flock Lidos all arrived at the first windward mark in close company. After 3, the right side was definitely favored for a while but as everyone neared the open area near Mark 4, the winds started to gyrate and die. Quietly, Al and Jayne McCown and Ken and Sandy Campbell made their way up he left side near Dam #2, rounding the mark well in the lead. Papadopoulos rounded in third with Robertson just on his transom. A deftly handled lull put Robertson just barely into 3^rd and Joe Doering in 4^th. Papadopoulos dogged Robertson down the entire lake, never more than two boat lengths away, with Doering slowly closing in as Robertson put a hard press cover on Papadopoulos on the final windward leg to the finish. Papadopoulos hung in tight, just keeping his 4^th position.

Again, the real exciting news was the action in the B’s. This time it was Paul and Etta Williams, who, despite being holed at the leeward mark by a wayward Laser, pushed on to a first place finish (ahead of most of the A’s) and 1^st B overall, by ¼ point over Mission Bay’s Roger Patterson. Paul and Etta have been the stalwarts of Fleet 1, having been in attendance at the High Sierra for the last 18 years, each year trying mightily to win and move into the A’s (this being the only major regatta they can squeeze into their schedule).