Malletts Bay Boat Club
Lake Champlain Founded 1936 

Aside from all that OTHER stuff that so often clods the vision of our true mission the regatta went off without a flaw. We were excited to see competitive teams. The point spread after seven races was a mere twelve points with the top three within three or four points.

The day started out with a buffet or orange juice and milk and muffins for the sailors and coffee for the adults. All were registered by 8:30 and were well prepared having read the handouts from the previous night's clinic. The skipper's meeting was brief and to the point sending all sailors on the water by 9:20. Setting the course took considerably longer than had been imagined; the breeze was clocking N to W to N so often that the gas boat actually had to refill its tank.

The first race started at approximately 9:30 with the windward mark set at a compromising NW. The breeze was light at 4-8 kts. And very shifty. These conditions continued through the second race. We abandoned the third race two times finally giving in to an extended lunch break waiting patiently for the sea breeze.

The breeze filled in perfectly from the SW at about 10*12 kts. And we reset the course for the navigational buoy off Squirrel Island and a tetrahedron to leeward. Windward - leeward courses seemed to be the right choice for the greatest competition. All day there was a noticeable split with three boats going left and three going right; all rounding within seconds of one another.

The races continued smoothly with the fresh sea breeze calming down to about 8-10kts. By the sixth and seventh race. There was a breakdown and a few protests but generally speaking it couldn't have been a more perfect regatta (as far as sailing was concerned). Rotating the boats at the RC could have been easier, but we managed well enough.

With a day of light and shifty to strong and steady this was a most competitive day for all the sailors. The first place team sailed a near perfect series aside from a collision resulting in a small hole ($250) in the side of one of the boats. The Shipshape Award went to the same team. Malletts Bay should be recognized for their positive attitude and good sportsmanship. They set a good example of fair play for all to follow.

Jeremy B. Terr
Director of Sailing BHYC