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NEWS
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| LORIE STOUT SAILS TO VICTORY AT 2008 CHESAPEAKE BAY WOMENS CHALLENGE | |||
Tied for second were Nicole Weaver 'USA-378' with 1-3-3 and Gwen Gibson 'USA-48' with 3-2-2 with the tie-breaker going to Weaver. First time Melges sailor Melissa Currier 'USA-21' rounded out the finishers. Under sunny conditions, wind at the 11:00 warning signal was 8-12 from the south. The breeze increased with the afternoon thermal producing gusts up to 20, oscillating slightly. With wind against tide there was a decent Chesapeake Bay chop. None of the boats had speedos so no info was available on speed, but all reported surfing downwind. The racing was tight with no horizon jobs on the 4± nm windward-leeward courses. The teams were united in their agreement that the most challenging aspect was managing the logistics—kids, husbands, babysitters—to get out on the water. All raved about the fun they had sailing the Melges. As Liz Filter put it, "We had a terrific time at the regatta, and the results were just the icing on the cake!" She went on, when asked what was the best part of the day, "My favorite part was chilling on the dock after the races, tired, bruised and sunburnt…but so satisfied. And as Lorie said, "did you think about your home To-Do list at all today?" I was shocked to realize that I hadn't – not once!" All the women are experienced sailors but found learning, or re-learning for some, the technical aspects of the Melges 24 to go fast to be challenging. Melissa reported, "we would get happy and balanced and feeling fast … then look up and see we were lower and slower than the other boats. There is so much to tweak – a lot of variables. Only experience can teach you how to make them get up and go." They also agreed that teamwork was key to solving equipment glitches and problems. Stout's team sailing Liz and Henry Filter's brand new out of the box 'Wild Child' with just four found downwind speed trumped less power upwind. But unlike the 3 other boats with five crew, they had no significant equipment issues, which Lorie feels was a key element of their success. Both Liz Filter and Melissa Currier (and spouses) each purchased Melges 24s this year. I asked both why they decided on a Melges 24. In their words… Liz: The Melges is the perfect boat for us: it's an awesome international class that truly gives you a thrill when you're racing in big breeze, yet a comfortable boat that we could sail as a family on Wednesday nights! Melissa: Decide? He [CB, her husband] turned 40 and there was a boat in the driveway…We were active in the Tempest and Alberg 30 fleets and it was frustrating having to poke and prod at people to get their boats out – 6 boats was a great turnout on any given weekend. With the Melges we can participate in a "home" fleet at EYC and travel some and have the backing of a solid and growing organization. It's nice to be able to focus on the sailing! Thanks to Bill Carleton for helping to get loaner boats. In fact, both of the other boats are named Tiburon!! Hmmm…..is Bill now a third world nation with a navy? The annual regatta is a fund-raiser to benefit Anne Arundel County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a local charity that helps abused and neglected children. Sailors interested in participating in the 2009 regatta should keep track of the regatta website, www.chesapeakbaysomenschallenge.com, or the Eastport Yacht Club,, click on the Racing link. The regatta is open to all women sailors. Racing divisions include one-design for any class with 4 or more boats entered and PHRF. There is also a Navigator's Division which sails a cruising course around government marks. |
International Melges 24 Class Association
©2008. U.S. Melges 24 Class Association. All Rights Reserved.
