This past weekend, John Wake and I travelled back to Lake Norman Yacht Club for the annual Fall 48 Regatta. Recall that LNYC successfully hosted the North Americas back in July. It was a big ask of the volunteers of the club to come back and put on another major event a few short months after the NAC’s, but they rose to the challenge and put on another great event. This year’s event also severed as the Carolina District Championship. As usual, the turnout for this event was strong with 35 boats competing over the weekend, including Allan Terhune who has been having an extremely successful year most notably winning major championships in the Lightning, Thistle and J-22 classes.

Saturday started early for John and I as we took delivery of our new boat, hull #6040. With Harry Carpenter’s assistance, the boat went together smoothly, and we were ready to hit the water. We got in two races in typically tricky lake sailing conditions, before the clouds of an approaching front killed off the breeze. We ended the day tied for 6^th place with an 11, 4. Harry Carpenter, who was sailing our old boat, was tied with Allan Terhune for 1^st.

We awoke Sunday morning to temperatures in the upper 30’s. However, the sun was up early as a result of the time change and things warmed up quickly. We sailed three more races in even trickier conditions than Saturday. Our score line was 3, 9, 4, which was good enough to move us up to 3^rd place for the regatta. Allan Terhune won the event. Eric Aschaffenburg, who finished in 5^th place overall, won the Carolina District Championship.

This event effectively caps off the travel season for our area. However, this winter Greater Richmond Sailing Association will be hosting a Frostbite Series. The dates are January 12 and 26 and February 9 and 23. The plan is to start at 1pm and get as many races in as possible. We will be able to leave our boats at GRSA during the series. There will be opportunities to crew as well (while someone else thaws) or run race committee. Fun could be had by all! If you have any interest, please let John Wake know so GRSA has a head count.

Also do not forget the Florida District Series. This series is just cranking up and is a great way to sail against some of the best sailors in the class and improve your sailing. Despite the high level of competition, this series is very low-key, where everyone works together to help everyone get better. I would encourage everyone to consider trying to an event or two in this series. It is a great time. Besides who doesn’t want to go to Florida in the winter time!!

Florida District Series:

December 7-8: Gator Bowl Regatta: Rudder Club (Jacksonville FL)

January 25-26: Port Charlotte Regatta: Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club

February 15-16: George Washington Birthday Regatta: Lake Eustis Sailing Club

March TBD: Davis Island Yacht Club