The Easter Regatta took place at Columbia Sailing Club in South Carolina from April 13-16. Friday had a 12:30 start time, but the Race Committee held teams on shore for a few hours. After being sent out, the RC tried one start but quickly abandoned the race as the light breeze shut off completely. Saturday saw a 9:30 start time, and teams went out and waited for several hours under AP, then eventually AP over H, then AP over A at 4:30pm. At 4:45, a nice southerly filled in, and the RC sent boats out for a “practice race.” Sunday’s 9:30 start was followed by a short AP on the water as the wind settled in. Three races were held. Thank you for Dan Borrer for this recap of his day:
“R1: We sailed basically in the top 4-6 boats through two legs and worked to the front of the pack during the last two legs to take a bullet.
R2: We didn’t have the best start and sailed at the back of the lead group on the first leg, passed about six boats downwind on leg two, and moved up to fourth at the end of that race.
R3: We sort of were out of phase on the first two legs, but found enough wind as it began to die out on the last two legs to finish seventh overall and a two-point victory. This year’s Easter win for me was my third time winning it, and the first time I’ve defended a title.
Much fun was had at Billy Ray’s barn every night!”
Mike Ingham placed second, and James Howard third in the 23-boat fleet. By winning the Easter Regatta, Dan Borrer’s Jesus Lizard also wins the Peter Bream Winter Series (which also included the Kings Day Regatta and Midwinter Championship) and the Southeast Regional Championship (giving Borrer a berth to the 2018 World Championship in Italy). Complete event results may be found at https://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm.