Wow! What an experience! The Black Star Regatta was all about making memories. It began with a group of sailors from the Budd Inlet Star Fleet coming together to create a fun filled weekend that included great racing, stimulating conversations, and the building of a team, the Budd Inlet Star Fleet team.
Our event started with practice races on Friday. Two memories: one boat lost their rudder; a crew member on another boat experienced first hand the sense of being pinned like a wrestler would pin his opponent. But all was temporarily forgotten as we were revitalized by the refreshing gift from Fish Tale Ale.
Saturday was an exciting day, six races! All with warm sunshine and consistent wind. The other constant was Derek in first in the Classic boats and Jim in first in the Woodies. Saturday night turned out to be full of fun with friends and guests. Tugboat Annie’s prepared a wonderful meal that satisfied all the various taste buds. Then, as most of you know, we had a fantastic raffle that brought smiles to some faces while others just appreciated donating to our fleet. The raffle wouldn’t have been possible without our sponsors:
Sunday was a little different, still warm and sunny, but the wind was sporadic. We only got in two races. But that didn’t seem to matter; everyone went home happy.
Regatta photos by Ron Vander Lugt, Anonymous Photographer, Thera Black
The Planning Committee members were Joe and Myra Downing, Steve Broback, Bill Brosius, Barbara Stuart, Derek DeCouteau, Jim and Diana Findley, Ron Kappes, Andris Kleinbergs, John Thompson, Norm Smit, Keith Vandeman, and Steve Worcester. This group met in the evening, continued discussions over the internet, and came to consensus on every issue from T-shirt design to race instructions. Kudos to all.
Special thanks goes to Westbay Marina for the use of their facilities, including the View Point Room.
We also want to extend our thanks to a few other people who gave of their time and talent to help us pull this off so the planning committee could race. Nonni Downing and Diana Findley took the lead on registering people and selling T-shirts. The race committee members, led by Steve Worcester, were Rick Bergholz who brought Inati to serve as starting boat, Eric and LeeAnne Egge who brought Misty to be mark boat, George and Betty Hansen, Jody Dillashaw, Thera Black, and Don Waterhouse. Sean Trew filled in as mark boat when Misty fouled her prop. Ian Martens graciously transported Ron Vander Lugt, our photographer. Ian got him in close, for some incredible pictures, but stayed out of the way of the racers. Thank you all.
But all the planning in the world wouldn’t have made much difference if our fleet members and others hadn’t jumped in and actively participated in the racing and the other activities associated with the regatta. What did they have to say when asked for their best memory?
Norm Smit: “Laura’s favorite moment was lazing around waiting for the wind after the second race on Sunday and sailing down wind. Mine was the parade of boats going as we were racing. It made it feel like a festival. I liked the timing with all the Arts Walk festivities and the opening of boating season.”
Bill Brosius: “I had several good memories. First, we had 100% of the boats able to be sailed out for the Regatta, a rare feat indeed, one every fleet captain dreams of but seldom, if ever sees. Second, everyone seemed to be having fun, with or without the wind, win or lose. Third, the smoothness of all aspects of the Regatta, and that was due to the team work of everyone involved. I thank everyone for such a great effort.”
Joyce Mercuri: “Well, I didn’t actually sail in the regatta, so I have to say my best memory was when I won a case of Fish Tale Ale in the raffle.”
Joel Rett: “The best part was watching a new skipper experience the fun and frustration of racing sailboats. I had the opportunity to sail with Dan Dillashaw in his first race and it was an experience that will bring him back for more. Dan lost the rudder on his boat during Friday’s practice, but thanks to Andris he had a boat on Saturday and I had a ride. We had a few moments of success and we also did some penalty turns when we were wrong. Overall, the two days were filled with as much sharing and camaraderie as it was a competition. Thank you to the whole group for a first class regatta.”
By the way, the winners were:
First place and winners of the coveted Black Star to put on their sails, thanks to Quantum Sails:
Wooden Boats, Jim Findley and Dave Sardorus;
Classic Boats, Derek DeCouteau and Shannon Boyle.
Other award winners were, in the Classic Boats:
2nd place: Norm and Laura Smit
3rd place: Jed Miller and Max Mogewis
4th place: Steve and John Broback
Full results.
So, next time you see one of those beautiful Star boats on the water, know we have now made history, a very successful renegade regatta in beautiful Olympia. The First Annual Black Star Regatta made memories!
See you on the water.
Myra Downing, Star 6381