January 30, 2013

Stu Robertson and the Elsharhawys rule the 2013 Super Bowl Regatta


Sunday morning rain in LA and Orange County may have discouraged some but Marina del Rey was spared the wet stuff and offered up a glorious January day with nearly ideal winds for a great day of Lido 14 racing and fun.


Lido 14 racers were joined by Harbor 20s, Coronado 15s and Optis for the 2013 edition of the Super Bowl Charity Regatta.  This event is one a few weekend small sailboat racing events held in Marina del Rey each year.  While the numbers were down, SMWYC and Fleet 2 put on another great regatta.
 The start finish line was relocated this year to the east end of the outer channel and eliminated the reaching starts and finishes of the last two years.  Two weather marks were set in the channel and one, which was not used, was set outside the breakwater.  The two lap windward leeward courses averaged about 35 minutes in length and provided a good workout in the cool but ideal 8 -10 knots of breeze.  While not overly shifty, some of the shifts and lulls offered some great opportunities.


Stu Robertson, alternating crew between Adam and Sammy Elsharhawy, managed to win all five races in the A Fleet.  However, it was not a cake walk by any means.  The top four boats battled all day trading places often.  Race three was particulary notable when the top five finishers stayed in a tight group the entire race.  It was good clean exciting fun.
In the B Fleet racing was tight as well.  After four races, there was a three way tie for first.  Dan McGanty prevailed over Dale and Scott Gronewold to earn one of the coveted foam football first place trophies.  Speaking of trophies, Bruce Wasson built a base and Potter scored an official NFL football signed by Joe Montana and the combination of the two is now the official Super Bowl Charity Regatta perpetual trophy!
Afterwards the SMWYC dining room greeted the sailors with a slide show of the day's racing and warm chili and cornbread.  Trophies were promptly followed by the ever popular raffle of gifts provided by the generous sponsors Ullman Sails Newport, Gresham Boards, Mare Company Sails, Custom Marine Design, Gill North America, West Marine, Sailing Supply and WD Schock Corp.  This is a very loyal and suportive group of sponsors that are greatly appreciated as all entry and raffle proceeds go directly to our Charity, The Cancer Support Community.
By Steve Potter