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THE "DON" STEERS TO VICTORY IN TAHOE AT THE 2006 M24 PCCs

Don Jesberg’s team hoisting the spinnaker for another exciting ride downwind

19 JULY 2006 • Eighteen Melges 24 crews turned up to race in the Melges 24 Pacific Coast Championships hosted by the Tahoe Yacht Club in beautiful Lake Tahoe over the weekend. The weather was perfect: warm 8 to 15 knot breezes, clean blue drinkable water, mountains – what more could a sailor ask for?

“A chainsaw might have come in handy” reported local skipper Peter York of See'n Double. Unknowingly, York and his team ran into a rather large sunken branch while racing downwind which lodged itself onto the keel bulb slowing the boat down allowing other competitors to pass. What to do? Instead of stopping the boat, Chris Grey, one of the crew volunteered to go over the side while hanging onto a lifeline and dislodge the branch while the boat was still racing forward at 8 plus knots. “It was like being keel hauled in the old British Navy” said Grey.

The “Godfather” of the San Francisco Melges fleet, Don Jesberg, aboard Ego, pulled some strings to win the event but not without a serious challenge from top female skipper Kristen Lane on Brick House. After 4 races on Saturday, Lane bested the mostly male fleet proving that women are just as good as the men when comes to racing these exciting boats. Posting a consistent 3, 2, 4, 1 she and her team were in first place bruising some “Egos”. Jesberg’s team struggled in the first race with an uncharacteristic 7th place finish but ultimately went on to win the series with a string of first place finishes. There were plenty of other challenges in route to victory lane with just 5 points separating the top 4 boats and outstanding performances by Seaden Wijsen on Pareto Optimal, taking 2nd overall and Shawn Bennett on no name, finishing 3rd. “We had a great time, the Tahoe Yacht Club did an excellent job hosting the event and Lake Tahoe was a spectacular place to sail. We are definitely coming back”, said Jesberg.

CORINTHIAN HEAT
In the Corinthian division, the segment of the fleet without any pros, Shawn Bennett from San Francisco won followed by local Tahoe sailors Dan Hauserman of Personal Puff, with Stan Eriksson following closely behind on Pro Spirit. Kristen Lane was the top female skipper finishing 4th overall followed by local sailor Stacy Conner finishing 12th overall.

To learn more about Melges 24 Racing in Tahoe call Dan Hauserman at the Tahoe Yacht Club at 530-581-4700. Many of the boats are looking for crew – just bring your chainsaw.

FULL RESULTS