Michigan Hot Scot Results
September 20-21, 2008
by Michael Ehnis

RESULTS AWARDS

This years 39th annual regatta held the unofficial theme of “Variety is the spice of Life” as an abundance of light air brought five different individual winners to each of the five races (and plenty of hair pulling too). PRO Bill O’Donnel and his crew took to the water on Saturday with plenty of sunshine and light southwest winds (0-6) requiring a lot of concentration from each skipper and crew. Race #1 winner Ernie Dieball with crew and wife Jacquelyn, fresh off of winning a Lightning event with 25 boats the previous week, picked up where they left off as they wiggled their way to victory. It appeared he had the lake figured out or did he?

Race #2 provided one of the biggest surprises of the regatta as Crystal Sail Clubs, Steve Last #4979 with crew Libby Stefanowski went from the outhouse to the penthouse in matter of minutes. In true Portage Lake fashion they snuck from the back of the pack to the front on the last downwind leg riding a nice wind shaft and a huge lift to the windward finish line. During the intermission between race #2 and #3, Steve could only laugh at his good fortune as some of the other competitors were trying to learn the secrets of his success.

After a short break, in Race #3 2007 regatta champion and reining current district champion Forest Rogers with crew Brad Glance #5855, duked it out with Bill Pfund #5193 up and down the course. The author thinks the difference was the fresh new christened hull of 5855 as Forest held on for the win and regatta lead after day one.

Saturday after race activities featured lots of snacks and cold beverages as the “Flying Socials” took to the park to commiserate on the days up and down, light air racing. For some reason, things seemed to make more sense the more we drank. After getting a fill of snacks, part of the fleet took off to “The Hawkins Inn” where Brian and Suzy Hawkins had a pizza party for guest skippers Bill Pfund and Steve last. The remaining group stayed at the club, eating good food and enjoying each ones company. Topics of conversation ranged from how Jerry Best is resurrecting #586 one piece at a time, Jim and Marie Davis #784 and their challenge with teenage kids and dating, as well as Ernie Dieball’s thoughts on sportsmanship on the race course and how the game should be played.

Sunday brought more light air (0-6), but packaged a bit differently as the wind came from the NE (or did it?) with lots of fog and plenty of clouds. Race #4 had yours truly #4336 and his crew Tom O’Brien pulling out the win after an auspicious start that had the pair dead last coming off the start line (for the fourth time in a row) and well behind everyone. Both stuck to the motto of “Don’t panic” and kept their focus on finding clean air and minimizing the number of tacks.

Race #5 had the regatta up for grabs between #5855 and # 4336. To no ones surprise, District Governor Jim Davis and crew/wife Marie quickly found clean air going left to take a quick lead that he never relinquished. The author attributes some of the Governors success to a Friday pre-regatta waxing of his beautiful blue hull. Maybe Jim will be willing to do the authors boat next year before the big event.

Hats off to fleet captain Bob Johnson (BJ) for doing a terrific job of putting on this year’s event, considering he works in Cincinnati all week long. Things ran smoothly as evidenced by the chants of “One More Year” from the fleet, and particularly from assistant fleet captain Rick Jarzembowski #1757 who ascends to the throne next year. For some reason Tina vetoed any idea of him doing it again.

Congratulations to Tom O’Brien and his skipper for picking up this years championship trophy; the authors first such win in 19 years of sailing invitational regattas. Congratulations also to new sailors also to Anne Bellew and Tom Porter #4764 for their win in the challenger series.