2004 Race Report ...

With the very light wind conditions and no promises from the forecast, the Round-the-Island course was dropped in favor of a shorter course around Eastern Bay.  Thirteen boats started the race and were immediately challenged by a very light wind which went around the compass several times in the first 3 hours.  Spinnakers went up and down like yoyos with each gyration of the wind and anchors appeared from bilges as the tide set against us. Eventually in the early afternoon a steady light breeze started to fill from the southwest to give us some decent sailing to the finish.

The RWYB Challenge Trophy 

  Al Holt's super fast Soverel 33 "Stalker" reveled in the light air and took the lead by the first mark with Doug Abbott's Cal 27 "Freestyle" and Chris Bardwell-Jones' Catalina 27 "Edelweiss" close behind.  But, there was no catching "Stalker" who managed to work the wind shifts well and continued to open the lead.  At the half way mark Tom French's C&C 40 "Denique" had come from the back of the fleet to ghost past "Freestyle" and "Edelweiss" and fall in behind "Stalker".

Makai, getting the most of the light winds

By this time however the fickle winds took their toll and some boats elected to drop out of the race and either join the cruising group or get a head start at the beer tent.  When the wind finally appeared, the fleet was reduced to 8 boats which were spread out all around Eastern Bay.  As the wind picked up, competitive spirits and the fun quotient rose back to normal high levels again.  In the middle of the fleet this led to a close tussle between Paul Behnke's C&C 34 "Surprise", Aaron Katz Cal 33 Katz Meow, Corky Rittenbaugh's Pearson 39 "Oasis," and Bob McGowan's Kirie Elite 32 "Jaguar."

The Stalker Crew Celebrating their Victory!

"Stalker" crossed the finish line first, well ahead of the rest of the pack to take both line honors and the beautiful Run What You Brung trophy.  "Denique" was next across the finish line followed by "Freestyle," "Edelweiss," "Surprise," "Katz Meow," "Oasis," and "Jaguar."  The final race results after handicap adjustments were (details attached):

1st - Stalker, Soverel 33, Al Holt, adjusted time 5:53:57

2nd - Freestyle, Cal 2-27, Doug Abbott, adjusted time 6:12:44

3rd - Denique, C & C 40, Tom French, adjusted time 6:28:52

4th - Edelweiss, Catalina 27, Chris Bardwell-Jones, adjusted time 6:51:30

5th - Surprise, C&C 34, Paul Behnke, adjusted time 7:56:03

6th - Katz Meow, Cal 33, Aaron Katz, adjusted time 8:02:14

7th - Oasis, Pearson 39, Corky Rittenbaugh, adjusted time 8:13:01

8th - Jaguar, Kirie Elite 32, Robert McGowan, adjusted time 8:24:05

dnf - Makai, Catalina 380, Tony Ogden

dnf - Riches To Rags, Catalina 30, Dudley Shelor

dnf - Dolphin, Beneteau Oceanis 300, John Roush

dnf - Backfin, Bristol 38, Jeff Leigh

dnf - Trocadero, First 345, Brian Stevens

dns - Second Wind, Allied Seawind II, Jim Harricell

And ... the final verdict ...

Universal acclaim for the Run What You Brung as by far the best regatta on

the Eastern Shore (if not the entire Bay) and a resolve by participants

to return next year!

We know when the Harvest Moon will appear next year, so make a note of the

date - 17 September 2005!