With more wind than we knew what to do with 43 Laser Masters sailors took to the waters of the Piankatank River for the 29th Annual Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship at Fishing Bay Yacht Club. Last years winner John Bertrand (AYC) put up 4 bullets in all 4 races to lead the fleet. James Jacob (FBYC) is 6 points behind and Peter Seidenberg (Sail Newport) is one point behind him in 3rd.

The first race was sailed in the middle of the Piankatank river where a long course was set in strong wind out of the west. Several boats sailed out to the course and immediately returned to the club. Many sailors took advantage of the rig swap provision and took out Radials or 4.7 rigs. Out of around 35 starters only 22 finished the modified gold cup course.“It was epic conditions,” said Dave Sliom from Severn Sailing Association after the first race, “It was very puffy and shifty which made it a lot more challenging than just trying to sail in 30 knots of breeze.”

“In this kind of breeze I would normally be overpowered, yet to my surprise I sailed well upwind, but even better downwind and traded places with James Jacob. I was faster downwind, he was faster upwind and in the last leg he beat me to the finish line,” said 3rd place finisher Peter Seidenberg from Sail Newport.

Craig Hodan from Southern Maryland Sailing Association summed it up as “It was wind on, wind off, 20-30 degree header, lift, auto tack, capsize, repeat.”

Following the first race the fleet was sent back to the beach while the Race Committee cleaned up the carnage and broken boats across the course.

A new course was set in Fishing Bay in more of a lee of the land where 3 more races were sailed. The conditions were shifty and challenging with strong wind at times, but everyone enjoyed the shorter, closer races.

“It was intensely blustery and quite a joy” said Henry Amthor from Hampton Yacht Club.

“I felt comfortable in the breeze in the first race, said day 1 leader John Bertrand from Annapolis Yacht Club. In the last 3 races I did a fairly good job seeing where the next shifts were coming and that kept me in front.”

“The best part was putting two adults on the boat and going back out, “ said one Masters sailor. “We were even afraid to chicken jibe.”

“But we had fun watching everyone else capsize,” said Dorian Haldeman from Severn Sailing Association.”

Around 3:30 the sailors finished up for the day and headed in to make repairs and clean up.

Sixty competitors, volunteers, race committee, and guests were on hand for Alain Vincey’s fabulous dinner.

“It’s a great group and we had a fantastic dinner,” said Dave Sliom.

“It was a beautiful day and it’s great to be down here racing, said David Fazier from Frostbite Yacht Club. Challenging conditions. I think the race committee did a great job to move the course in and give the most sailors a chance to participate.”

Sunday’s forecast is calling for a little less wind.

Day 1 Results