Serene Lakes Independence Day Race
Sailboat Race 1 of 3 Results
On July 4, 2021, at 2:03 PM, the Royal Serene Lakes Yacht Squadron with Commodore Duane Faitel and assistant Werner Siegert hosted Race 1 of the 2021 season. The course consisted of 2 laps with 2 port and 2 starboard turns. Seventeen boats started the race under sunny skies with typically unpredictable, variable Serene Lakes winds blowing from light to medium winds from West / Southwest. Sailing on what may have been the busiest day on the lake ever, sailors had an extra challenge with 100s of obstacles of swimmers, paddles boarders, kayakers and floaters for the sailors to navigate on top of the changing winds.
At the sound of the starting siren, Nelson*, a sailor in a 10’ Bauer Sailboat with excellent timing and precise skills took pole position. By the time the sailors reached the first port turn, previous champion sailor Ralph Eddy took an early lead with his son Charlie Eddy close behind in 2nd place. The rest of the sailors managed to fall in line behind the leader. However, Will Buxton and another un-identified sailor spent precious time getting the boat lines un-tangled back at the starting buoys before being able to get their races started.
Due to four unregistered sailors the commodore had difficulties recording all placements. (*Unregistered Sailor)
At the first of two laps the top positions were:
Ralph, Charlie, Dave Groechel, Leo Marek, Annika Burns, Eric Paul, Bernard Pech and Zane Hensley.
After the first lap, at one point the entire fleet was stuck in the ‘doldrums’ meaning no wind. But, as they inched forward desperately waiting for wind, they enjoyed the sounds of the band. On the second lap Charlie passed his father into first place but the lead was short lived as the luck of the winds switched them back.
Results after the 2ndand final lap: Ralph, Charlie, Leo, Annika, Eric, Dave, *White Sunfish, Bernard, Will, Karin Nelson, Zane, Tom Robinson, *Dolphin Sr., *Red/Orange Sunfish, Doug Foster, and Kevin Paul.
The next race is Sunday, August 1st, the weekend of Serene Lakes Days. All racers, please sign up early at the snack shack with your name, email, boat make, color and sail number.
Duane Faitel
2021 RSLYS Commodore