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
