Saturday, May 11, 2013

Walt Elliott Challenge Report



The weather for the umpteenth running (no one is really sure of the exact number) of the Walt Elliott Challenge couldn't have been better. Starting off with a nice steady 8 to 9 knot breeze from the South and building to 16s and 17s from the South West as the day progressed. making for a great series of windward leeward races.  This years Defending club, Long Beach YC, accepted Huntington Harbor YC's challenge in Cal 25.

Five of the ASPBYC member clubs were represented today. Cabrillo Beach YC's Calamazoo skippered by CBYC'S V.C. Scott Holcomb, Alamitos Bay's lquana skippered by Dennis Diem. Seal Beach's Tiberon helmed by owner Rick Sotile, Huntington Harbor's entry Discovery captained by Jeff Silver and, of course, the defending Club Long Beach YC's entry was One Time driven by Art Melendes.  The first race of the day saw a cautious start by all boats. No need for an over early flag on today's two-lap opener. Calamazoo was leading at the first leeward mark rounding, but it would be Huntington Harbor's Discovery that came from the back of the pack to take the gun in the first race.

The second race of the day, set for three laps, saw winds gusting to twelve. Tiberon was out front early with a great start, but it was Calamazoo ahead once more at the leeward mark, closely followed by One Time and lquana. Iguana managing to fly their spinnaker in this second race. They lost a halyard In race one, forcing them into a wing on wing configuration for their downwind legs. The second leeward rounding had
Calamazoo still leading with One Time close on thier stern. These two now having a 10 to 12 boat lead on the rest of the Fleet going into the third lap. After a great battle of the gybes on the last down wind leg, it was Calamazoo getting the checkered flag, One Time in a close-as-hell second. The fun wasn't over. The race committee was treated to a very exciting fight for third, see the picture of Iguana, Discovery and Tiberon neck and neck and neck, fighting for a third place finish.

The third and final race was a grueling four lap race. The fleet had a very lively start with winds gusting to 18 knots. The unexpected wind, combined with some very aggressive driving, caused the general recall flag to fly.  The second start of the the third race was picture perfect with entire fleet hitting the line within 5 seconds of the gun. With an extra lap but a slightly shortened lap length, the foredeck guys really got a work out. Their bowman showing with not a single round-up or ugly douse to be had, even in these gusty conditions.  The heavy air seemed to be just what the doctor ordered for Skipper Art Melendres
of One Time. He got out front early and never looked back, leading the pack on every lap and finishing a whopping 94 seconds ahead of second place Calamazoo.





The final results are:
Calamazoo with a 3,1 ,2=6
One Time with a 4,2,1 =7
Discovery with a 1 ,5,3=9
Tiberon with a 2,3,5= 1 0
Iguana with a 5,4,4= 1 3

Kudos to LBYC's P.R.O. Don Warner and his crack race committee of Janet Warner, Mary
Beth lves, Michael Stuart and Grease Monkey Bob Curley for running a flawless event.  Special thanks to CBYC Vice Commodorable Kristy Holcomb for doing the photographer duties.

See you on the water,
Warren Wolfe
Comm. ASPBYC