District Championship
on Tuesday October 10, 2006 08:35AM
Not high wind nor high water could keep twenty-six laser sailors from competing in the 2006 Laser District 11 Championship held at Fishing Bay Yacht Club this weekend. Henry Amthor of Hampton Yacht Club took top honors winning one of the 6 races and having top-5 finishes in the rest. Mike Waters from Severn Sailing Association finished 2nd followed by Ted Morgan, also from Severn Sailing Association, in 3rd.
Saturday morning high water from both tides and storms combined to flood Fishing Bay Road. For much of the morning the road remained impassable and competitors were forces to leave their cars and boat on the dry side of the road and walk through the water to get to the club. With the winds steady between 25 and 35 miles per hour and gusts into the 40âs sailing was not in the cards that day.
The sailors spent the downtime relaxing, watching football, running errands and socializing. Many took a walk to the shore of the Chesapeake Bay where waves were crashing on shore and docks had gone missing. Thankfully the club came through unscathed. Saturday evening those who had made it to the club were treated to another one of Alain Vinceyâs terrific meals.
The weather was far more cooperative on Sunday. Still out of the north east, the wind started out around 18-20 and dipped as the day wore on. Six races length were sailed and five different winners emerged â a testament to the competitiveness of the sailors. Brooks Zerkel our Principle Race Officer and his crew did a great job getting races off and adjusting the course to the constantly to changing conditions.
No sailing Saturday made Sunday a long day, but we had great conditions and it was evident that everyone had a good time. I would like to thank John Hubbard and Frank Murphy for all of their help with which I could not have done without them. Congratulations, Henry. Job well done.
Results: http://laserdistrict11.org/events/r163 Photos: http://photos.jdeutsch.com/Sailing/2006/District-11-Championship/