2010 Bruce Goldsmith Memorial Lightning Regatta - Devil's Lake, MI

Sept 17-18, 2010

I just got back from a great weekend up at Devil’s Lake.  It was the 3^rd annual Bruce Goldsmith Memorial Regatta.  We had 18 Sunfish and 11 Lightnings show up on an overcast day and got 4 races in light-medium winds from a shifty SW direction.  I was able to team up with my sister-in-law, Laurie and our good friend Kristen Medwid.  Kristen sailed with me two years ago when we won.  Being in Vermont for last year’s event, it was great to be back and try to repeat our prior performance.

This year there was a twist.  I brought my Dad’s recently refinished Lippincott to sail and possibly sell to an interested buyer on Devil’s Lake.  The boat had not been raced in some time, but went back together flawlessly and performed like a champ.  Only the skipper decisions kept her back!!!  The great news is that the “Wimpy Flash” has a new home at DLYC.

We spent a good chunk of the regatta battling with George Sipel’s team of Chris Snyder and Jeff Hagman.  It was Geo’s 40^th birthday.

Jeff would turn 40 in a few days.  So, we knew we would have an advantage on Sunday morning!!  As things panned out, it came down to the last race that was in very light wind.  Geo’s team won the start and tacked right away.  We tacked a bit later and watched Geo and Surge VanderHorst’s team sail along the South shoreline and almost make the mark without tacking!!  Geo held off a late charge by our team to win the race and the tiebreaker and the regatta.  We were 2^nd and Surge’s team of Glenn Hummel and Surge’s son Jack sailed a nice regatta to end up 3rd.  The big highlight was that Jack got to steer his first Lightning race.  We could see his smile from the other side of the course!!

Thanks to Bill Rogge and his team for setting great courses in shifty conditions.  Also, big thanks to David Laidlaw for running a great event.  We look forward to being back next year.