Fleet 6 Championships

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Hosted by Alamitos Bay YC

Ryans prevail at Fleet Six ‘Galactic’ Championships.

14 teams braved the beautiful 70-degree weather on Saturday, April 11, 2009 to kick off the new sailing season with the Fleet Six  “World-Galactic” Championships!  Five races were successfully run by the race committee, which consisted of Marc Shryer and Walter Johnson.  After race one, it was clear this year was to be different, as many great sailors were present on the water including former fleet champion, Chuck Babcock. It was Grant Hill who took the first bullet of the day. Grant and his son, Connor were prominent contenders at the top of the fleet, with two first places and a respectable third place finish overall. Jerry Thompson, first timer in a lido, (but by no means an inexperienced skipper,) sailed consistently at the top of the fleet in the infamous Lido 3113, making everyone nervous, including the defending fleet champion’s, Freddie Stevens and Father Fred Stevens. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see J.T. as he would have tied for the championship had it not been for a DSQ and RAF in two races.
In the B Fleet, father, son team Paul and John Makielski took the win as they were seen on occasion at the top of the fleet. Right behind team Makielski was our fleet captain Ed Spotski and his skipper, Eric Chadwick, who, after ditching their 6000 series for a ‘mellow yellow’ classic lido gave the Ryan’s a run for their money in the last race of the day.  Good show guys!

As fate would have it, the decision of fleet champion came down to the final race of the day, with team Mark/Sarah Ryan tied with team Freddie/Fred Stevens. Team Stevens have held the Fleet Six Championship title for the past seven years (except for 2007 when fleet champs were not sailed) and last year they successfully defended their title by beating out team Ryan in the last race. This year however, a third place finish in the final race was enough to earn Mark and Sarah Ryan a set of red L’s as they are the new Fleet Six Champions.  The day ended by renewing the old tradition of launching the new fleet champ into the bay.  Great competition, beautiful sunshine, and amazing people make fleet six a place to be!
A note from Sarah: Lido sailing has been in our family for three generations now, as our grandfather, grandmother, mother and uncle were all active members of Fleet Six back in the day. Mark and I are very grateful for this fleet and we want to dedicate this accomplishment to the memory of our grandpa, Roscoe “Butch” Butcher, Lido 14, 2506.  Thank you to everyone involved in the fleet and class association, smooth sailing!