(Sunday, May 30, 2010) On a beautiful day in May for sail races, Tom Weber’s La Tempete won both races in the Beneteau 40.7 section of the Edwin Reinholtzen Spring Opener Regatta organized by the Chicago Corinthian yacht Club at Montrose Harbor Chicago.

 

This is the first event of the year that counts in any of the 2010 season series.  Both races today counted for the LMSRF Best 40.7 on Lake Michigan series and for the Area III Buoy Boat of the Year.   

The first race of the day was called at 135º at a distance of 1.5 nautical miles. Wind was about 10 knots, with seas of 1 foot. 

 

It was Das Boot, skippered by Jay Muller and his daughter Kate as tactician rounding the windward mark in the lead. They were followed by Bob Vickery’s Collaboration, then by La Tempete, with the rest of the fleet following. At the second windward mark it was La Tempete leading, followed by Collaboration and then by Das Boot who had fallen to 3^rd place. Following them was Ron Buzil’s Vayu and then Mojo co-skippered by Jeff Comeaux, Scot Ruhlander and Gary Powell. On the last downwind leg Vayu passed Das Boot and finished in 3^rd place. 

 

By 1 o’clock, with the wind building slightly to 12-13 knots but holding steady in direction, the second race of the day was called at the same course and distance of 135º, 1.5 nm. 

 

At the beginning of the day, the race committee announced on the radio that boats over the start line early would not have their numbers called. All boats were admonished to “behave themselves and watch the flags”. Two 40.7’s were over the line early on the second race of the day and were scored OCS: these were Collaboration and Mojo. (Gee guys, what does that white flag with the blue cross mean?)

 

Aside from the two over-early boats, the first upwind leg of the second race went smoothly with fairly steady wind of 11-12 knots. Boats rounded the first windward mark in order: La Tempete, Collaboration, Turning Point, then Mojo, Das Boot, Vayu and then Das Boot. At the second windward mark the order had changed slightly: La Tempete still leading Collaboration (who was OCS), followed by Das Boot, Turning Point, and Vayu. Then rounding was Cancan followed by Mojo.

 

Final Reinholtzen Regatta Scores: