Herb Shear Invitational – Final

Mission Bay, May 18-19, 2013. Regatta report by John Fretwell

Eighteen Snipes turned out for Fleet 495’s annual Herb Shear Invitational at Mission Bay Yacht Club, May 18-19. As usual in our class, there were a wide variety of competitors: wily veterans to first-time juniors, team weights from 240-340 lbs., married couples, unmarried couples, couples sailing two boats, and one woman skipper. We were especially pleased to welcome the proud new owner of USA 28858, SDYC Head Coach Nick Kaschak and his girlfriend, Krystal Treiberg. Seven races were sailed including one random leg distance race, and breeze ranged from 7-11+ kts with flat water in the bay.

On Saturday four races were sailed: three W/L courses followed by a Course 69, previewing our August 9th GFU Regatta! Scores were tight at the end of the day with Dave Tillson/Rebecca McElvain leading, followed by John Fretwell/Taisei Hatter, Ken and Julie Redler, Scott Sinks/Storm Brown (Jrs.), and Brian and Kim Stanford. Going right seemed to be the order of the day, but it didn’t work every time, and 11 became the popular drop race number, showing how quickly even the leaders can get in trouble in our competitive fleet! As the keg was tapped ashore, the fleet enjoyed some tunes in the boatpark and a panel discussion with the day’s leaders.

Sunday’s racing saw slightly lighter and shiftier conditions, with both sides turning in winners, and the middle a difficult place to survive. Randy Lake and Diana Waterbury dominated the day with a 1-1-2 to vault up the leaderboard, but Tillson remained consistent. When all was said and done it was Tillson/McElvain in 1st, Lake/Waterbury 2nd, Redlers 3rd, Sinks/Brown 4th, and Fretwell/Hatter 5th, with just one point separating 3rd-5th!

Next stops: All Girl Sail Jam at MBYC, June 15th, District 6 Championship at Coronado YC (South Bay) June 22-23, and the 2013 GFU, August 9th!!!

Final Results