Richard Dana Charity Regatta

Sept. 5-7, 2003

Hosted by Dana Point YC

The Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta was a success in so many ways. Most important, the weekend event raised over $70,000 for PanCAN, the Pancreatic Cancer Charity to which all entry fees, contributions and sponsorship money was donated. The Casino night was one of the best parties I’ve experienced at the Dana Point Yacht Club and the rest of the weekend was really a lot of fun also.

Racing on Friday night was the highlight of the summer Lido schedule. We had six boats show up, with Emmett Hines and Michael and Tamara Byrd Tatich making their Fleet 73 racing debuts. The four other boats have been battling all summer in the Soda Pop Series and the fleet is showing some real maturity and growth. We had three windward/leeward races outside the harbor. There was ample wind and great starts and a fine race committee running the show.

The best thing about racing is that anything can happen. It looked like Bob Martin and his son were going to run away with the whole thing after crossing the line first in all the races. Most of the fleet was in a dead heat for second place. But things aren’t always what they seem as Bob was over at the start of the second race. When the race committee announced an unexpected third race, the regatta was up for grabs. Bob and Jenni Hartung, Jeff and Gina McLaren and Bobby Geissinger were all in the hunt. Bobby sailed consistently well the whole regatta and was only passed in the last leg by Jeff and Gina who took second in the race and 1st overall in the regatta. Bobby’s consistency gave him second overall and Bob Martin’s superiority still got him a third. Thanks to everyone who showed up and I hope everyone had a good time.

There is a tentative Sunday afternoon Fall series.  Please come join us.

Jeff McLaren, Fleet Captain

Notice of Race