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Lightning Southern Circuit 2009 		Team McLube

 


The Publisher
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Mar 12, 2009, 6:14 PM

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This thread is for the 2009 Lightning Southern Circuit. Amy Smith Linton will be regularly posting updates, but all comers are welcome to share their stories.

The Lightning Southern Circuit consists of three regattas endorsed by the ILCA, the Deep South Regatta at the Savannah Yacht Club, Savannah, GA, March 14 to 15, the Miami Midwinter Regatta at the Coral Reef Yacht Club, Coral Gables, FL, March 17 to 18 and the Winter Championship at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg, FL, March 20 to 22.


2009 Southern Circuit Begins to Start
From Amy Smith Linton, VP of the Southern Circuit

Step right up, the show is about to—well, it is about to begin, but THIS show starts on the road. The International Lightning Class Southern Circuit takes place across two weekends and a week, and moves from Savannah Georgia to Miami Florida to St. Petersburg Florida. The Circuit involves a minimum of 730-some driving miles –– plus however long it take to arrive in Savannah and to return home again. For the North Americans among us there’s at least 1,000 miles of road. That’s a lot of empty calories from Doritos, Mountain Dew, beef jerky, and Yoohoo.

Still, the Lightning –– an Olin-Stephens-designed sloop that celebrated its 70th anniversary last summer –– is suited to a series of regattas that includes plenty of highway miles between venues. It’s a 19-foot centerboard dinghy that sits low behind the car and only rarely decides to throw a shoe or shy under tow. And chances are, we’ll work off those empty calories one way or another: if not hiking, then playing whiffleball with paddles or hoola-hooping somewhere along the line.

But for now, the clan is gathering: some driving from Colorado (Yo Nick!) and Canada (Hi Joy and Larry!), some flying in from exotic destinations (Gustavo! Gary! Fausie!), others arriving by black helicopter under cover of night (you know who you are). Like the dopey song says, Our bags are packed/and we’re ready to go. Not to mention how the Lightning is packed to the gills with sailing gear, and the car is packed to the windows with road food, clothes, Yoohoo, games, and bug-spray.

First destination: The Deep South regatta in Savannah Georgia. Home of low-country boils, shrimp grits, and the second-largest celebration of St. Patrick’s day in the United States. The sailing venue offers unique opportunities to observe Mother Nature at her finest (magnificent tidal flow! sticky mud! voracious gnats!) and enjoy some exemplary Southern hospitality.

Fire up the GPS and ice down the cooler, folks, cause we are outta here.

Amy Smith Linton, VP of the Southern Circuit reporting from her driveway in Tampa.


Just can’t get enough of these Southern Circuit stories? Check out the Scuttlebutt reports from the past three years:
2006: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2006/03/lightning-circuit-tour-begins_13.html
2007: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/lightningcircuit/
2008: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/...m.cgi?post=5875#5875





The Publisher
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Mar 12, 2009, 6:18 PM

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From Amy Linton... getting ready to hit the road:



Jan Davis
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Mar 13, 2009, 3:16 PM

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The Colorado crew checking in..... Steve, Nick and Jan are steadily making our way east. Currently we are sitting in Atlanta traffic. Things have changed a bit since our last trip. Gone are the books on tape and the music blasting, we are "connected" via air card, blackberry, and phone. We each sit quietly in our own worlds, working. Nick's teaching himself a new computer language, Action Script, for programing Flash. Steve is a crack berry!! Enough said. Jan is posting classified ads to the website, calculating tow line votes and doing a lot of driving. Steve and I are excited to see the gang, after missing the NAs last summer, we are particularly looking forward to this Lightning family reunion.
Steve says "I love light air AND I love traffic!!!"


LintonLightning
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Mar 13, 2009, 8:25 PM

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Friday Night in Savannah

Reporting in from the fireside of the Savannah YC’s casual bar. The sun is not quite down. While it’s overcast and wintery to me, others have been shedding layers of wool as they emerge from their vans and cars and begin unpacking their Lightnings here in Savannah.
35 or so boats in the parking lot, with new teams and familiar ones. No particular road warrior adventures to report. Team Pinky has a new boat (#15377), and, according to at least one report and -- contrary to their own expectations -- the boat was the first to the Savannah YC and was the first to be set up. Its name “Why, Mr. Pinky of course!” said boat owner Gidge Glenn (According to crew Chappy Hopkin: “the best tactics Gidge ever made, to get in the HOV lane. He’s the King of the HOV lane.”)
The Egans of Flying Scot fame (et cetera) are debuting a new Lightning; big things are expected.
At least one of the new Boat Grant teams is on hand. Based in Montreal, Jessica Lombard had a bevvy of help setting up at noontime.
According to John Faus, the trip was uneventful, though he saw something like 25 police cars, but he had no interactions to report.
Everyone is talking, but no stories suitable for publication seem to be revealing themselves. There seem to be a lot of references to ouzo, impersonations of rock stars, and the crazy current on the Skidaway. 

Hope for more coherence, as well as news from other folks soon.


LintonLightning
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Mar 13, 2009, 8:28 PM

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Tom Allen Senior helping put together one of 2009 Boat Grant boats.


Attachments: Senior.jpg (32.3 KB)


LintonLightning
***

Mar 14, 2009, 3:41 PM

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Savannah is one whacky spot. 40 boats on the line, overcast, dying breeze and a big spring tide. Here are a few opinions gathered at random before the oyster roast on Saturday night:

“It’s not the only thing I have been bad at the first time.”
“Fun sailing, tough racing.”
“"I said, 'I really hope we get caught on this crabtrap, because we are going backwards otherwise.' First time I ever said that.”
“At 40 seconds to go, everyone was going away from the mark – that’s a surprise.”
“I say ‘Gnats to that.’ “
I can sum my day up in numberous lines: Okay, it’s where you were but there’s no logic to it. Does that make sense?”
“Welcome to Savannah – no no it’s Bugvannah.”
“Yeehaw.”
“A whoopsie-daisy kind of day, what with running aground and not fetching the mark and all that.”
“Had some great gains but minor mistakes turned them into big losses.”
“Those damn gnats were a great welcome back to the shore.”
“Interesting and educational.”
“How are we doing? Pretty horrible, actually, but we will live to fight another day.”
“Well we went from 35th to 4th in one leg, so that’s good. By the way, thanks for waiting up for us.”
“’Dammit Katie’ sums up my day.”
“I have been Savannahed.”
“Very happy with two eights, it’s that kind of day.”
“We really have to pay attention to that guy – we can’t let him get the jump on us, and then he gets going and Tim pushes the helm and there’s like tapioca pudding. Nothing.”
“Is it time to anchor? Is it time to anchor?”
“We were first at the first mark, and then, well, we were counting from the back at the finish.”
“How did that happen?”
“I came up to be a judge and ended up on the pin boat – and there were no protests. That’s always nice.”
“How was my day: It sucked, because I don’t really like being on the beach (but I like being in Savannah).”
“It was okay: good start and bad finish. Our goal is to be in the top ten in the Southern Circuit, since every spot is very different.”
“All those boats caught us, like twice. Damn.”
“It’s not snowing.”
“Where’s the green beer at?”


LintonLightning
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Mar 14, 2009, 7:44 PM

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Oh and results can be found at: http://www.lightningclass.org/

Results after Saturday:

1. David Starck, Joe Starck, PJ Shaeffer
2. Allan Terhune, Katie Terhune, Collin Kirby
3. Marcus Eagan, Marc Eagan, Kippy Chamberlain
4. Bill Killebrew, Bruce Richards, Denis Colby
5. Jody Lutz, Jay Lutz, Matty Schon





The Publisher
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Mar 15, 2009, 8:56 AM

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From Amy Smith Linton:

Clockwise from upperleft: Daffodills, boat rigging, Tom Allen Senior helping rig the Boat Grant boat for one of the year's young team of sailors, Team Joy (easy folks, they are all under age!), and pre-event prep.








The Publisher
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Mar 15, 2009, 9:03 AM

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More Savannah pics from Amy Smith Linton:





LintonLightning
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Mar 15, 2009, 1:39 PM

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After a delay for fog and no air, the Deep South wrapped up today with Allan Terhune and Katie Terhune and Colin Kirby winning handily. Quick interview as the fleet packs up and heads south to Miami, by way of the Space Shuttle launch out of Kennedy Space Center at 7:43 pm:

Katie, how was it today?
It was wonderful. There was no stress on our boat. (laughs)

You are usually fast but how’d you get it dialed in this year?
After 75 queries, we finally got Colin Kirby, one of the Boat Grant kids from last year, to sail with us.
He’s easy going, knows what he’s doing, and he deserves all the credit. It was his first Savannah, and he didn’t have any expectations.

You had great boat speed…
We did?
We were fortunate. We didn’t fall into the abyss. Mark roundings were pretty good, except of course the one when we had to spin around, drop the chute and re-set and it wrapped…
And after all, It was good we got to sail both days.


The Publisher
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Mar 15, 2009, 4:18 PM

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Final results - Top three
1. Allan Terhune, Katie Terhune, Collin Kirby
2. David Starck, Joe Starck, PJ Schaffer
3. Jody Lutz, Jay Lutz, Matty Schon

Complete results: http://www.lightningclass.org/...2009/results2009.asp




The Publisher
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Mar 17, 2009, 6:04 AM

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Amy Smith Linton provides some snaps from Sunday (March 15th) in Savannah:
(Clockwise from upper left) Only in the South Piggly -Wiggly Grocery crossing sign, Birthday boy Larry MacDonald, waiting, more waiting, and a boat named ... a propos of everything... "Rode Hard...put away wet"









The Publisher
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Mar 17, 2009, 6:14 AM

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From Amy Smith Linton (Monday, March 16th):

The Southern Circuit: Leg 2 Midwinters Regatta in Miami at the tropical paradise of Coral Reef YC (March 17-18) -- complete with palm trees, visiting parrots, and a fountain that is categorically never frozen -- the flock of 30+ Lightnings from Savannah has been joined by another 15 or so boats. The count is vague yet, as some latecomers are not yet registered, but Carol Ewing, the VP of the Lightning Midwinters, estimates the registrants at around 48. This number is down of course from past years, but only by 10-15%, rather than the anticipated 20%.

Dr. Steve Horwitz of Miami ran a very popular skin-cancer screening in conjunction with registration. Sponsored in part by former ILCA president Steve Davis (Davis provided a cooler of premium barley beverages and iced water for participants), the screening gave sailors a chance to get a free check of moles, bumps, freckles. Most sailors came away with a reminder to use more sunscreen and wear long-sleeve shirts, while a few were advised to check with their own dermatologists on specific spots. "We caught a few scary ones," said Dr. Steve. "The average skin cancer hangs around for 19 years; it's just a case of when you ge t it taken care of. Sooner is better, obviously." Amen to that.

Hey, South Beach adventurers -- how is it out there? And did anyone else see a spectacular light show last night with the shuttle. Southern Circuit racing continues on Tuesday on Biscayne Bay.




LintonLightning
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Mar 17, 2009, 7:03 PM

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Late on St. Patrick's Day from the Coral Reef YC:
Hoola hoop contest. Glee chorus from Navy. Light air. Three races. Allan Terhune in first. Juan Santos of Ecuador lighting up the racecourse.
Amidst ominous clouds....what will tomorrow's weather bring?


LintonLightning
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Mar 18, 2009, 11:55 AM

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Mr. Jason Hubbard reporting in:
Live from Miami.....
15 knots of breeze and two feet of waves lead to interesting interactions downwind. Everybody survived, and had excellent time. (at least on his boat)


LintonLightning
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Mar 18, 2009, 11:56 AM

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Allan Terhune finished on top of the leader-board, with Juan Santos of Ecuador in second.
Overcast NE-ly breeze with big salty chop.


LintonLightning
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Mar 18, 2009, 11:59 AM

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Last year's winner Jody Stark finished third, with Tommy Allen Jr. in 4th, and Tim Healy in fifth.


The Publisher
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Mar 18, 2009, 12:43 PM

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Midwinters Regatta in Miami - pics from Amy Smith Linton:







The Publisher
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Mar 18, 2009, 12:46 PM

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Sent to Scuttlebutt from the event host:

Southern Circuit - Leg 2 - Midwinters Regatta (March 17-18)

Lightnings breeze their way through Miami as part of their Southern Circuit Series and the Terhune team won it all by 7 points finishing with two bullets and a second place out of the five races. Allan Terhune skippered with Katie Terhune and Olympian Sarah Mergenthaler as crew. They were followed Ecuador’s Team Juan Santos who were also the top “non-professional” team. Skipper and all the crew are named Juan; one is the Dad and one is his son and his son’s cousin. Juan, the skipper, is a multi- time South American Lightning Champion. Needless to say it was a family affair. They finished with 20 points. In third place with 29 points were Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Jody Swanson Starck sailing with Tom Starck and Skip Dieball.

With two races, 48 Lightnings from five nations enjoyed a true sample of Miami weather. On Tuesday (Mar. 17), there were sunny skies and nice breezes of 5-9 knots. Wednesday (Mar. 18) had white caps, gray skies with huge thunder clouds and 20 knots at the start. Hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club, Jere Woltz served as PRO for the regatta. At the sailors’ dinner on Tuesday night, they were treated to a performance by the US Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club.

Final Results (Five races - top 5 of 48)
1. 53/ 15353 Terhune, Allan Terhune, Katie/Mergenthaler, Sarah 6 3 1 1 2 13.00
2. 25/ 14673 Santos G., Juan Santos A., Juan/Santos R., Juan 2 7 2 8 1 20.00
3. 50/ 15125 Starck, Jody Starck, Tom/Dieball, Skip 8 4 11 2 4 29.00
4. 9/ 9 Allen, Jr., Tommy Mueller, Jay/Nichols, Albert 1 18 3 3 9 34.00
5. 23/ 14950 Healy, Tim Shore, Randy/Beault, Nicole 7 11 4 7 10 39.00

Complete results are found at http://www.lightningclass.org/...resultsFinal2009.asp

Photos below from Amy Smith Linton:
First row: Team Juan Santos cubed (father and sons from Ecuador) with the Top Amateur trophy. The Lightning gang tacoing up before heading to St. Pete
Second row: Team Terhune collecting their conch trophies in Miami - from left Sarah Merganthaler, Allan Terhune, and Katie Terhune.







LintonLightning
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Mar 21, 2009, 7:52 PM

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Thursday report (Mar. 19):
Reporting from the Waterfront room at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. We are in the home stretch of this horse-race: three more days of sailing at this final venue of beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida. The weather looks promising, if somewhat unlikely: low 80s, sunny, and breeze from 10-20 from the --- er, East? Well, we will see. 58 boats registered, which is down a bare ten boats from last year. We blame the gas prices, because there seems to be no other economic factor that would play to the good...

Thursday was a bit of a lay-day, with many teams taking a restful break at the St. Pete YC's tiki hut and pool. Juan Santos (and sons) stopped by Busch Gardens for some scream therapy. Many familiar faces on hand, including more Allen family members, James Taylor, the Jim Davises, and direct from Lagos, Nigeria, Gary Schwantz. Welcome! That makes the country count only a bit bigger than the continent count: Africa, South America, North America, Australia (Hi Ian!) versus US and Canada, Ecuador and Chile, Columbia and Australia.

At the various annual meetings, the key topics were the Challenging Economic Situation and what it means for the class's continuing well-being, the ongoing Boat Grant Program (press releases eminent, very good news!), and of course the ILCA's inclusion in the next Pan Am games to be held in Mexico. As well as variously rich discussions of whether to re-write the class rules regarding safety lines, etc.

Racing begins Friday. We hope to post SoCirc standings (it's more a challenge than one might think, involving three separate scoring programs and some very tuckered out volunteers after a day of racing.) Feel free to log in and post --- I am happy to blather on, but I know there are other voices far more interesting than mine after seven days of racing, and other perspectives that folks would like to hear. Meanwhile, thanks to everyone who has attended this year, and to the rest, participating through the class website and through the generosity of Scuttlebutt.

Friday report (Mar. 20):
The Lightning Southern Circuit waited on hold today (Friday) while the wind frisked about randomly. Despite predictions of 10-20 knots of breeze out of the north, and valiant effort on the part of the race committee, the Lightning fleet didn't get a race off today. After an hour postponement on shore, the fleet headed to the race-course in nice puff, only to find the wind shifting and dying to under the 4-knot class minimum away from the harbor.
After being towed in, the fleet kept itself amused with Giant Jenga, Frisbee, conversation, and seeking out food.
At 3, the fleet sailed back to the racing area only to watch a northerly fight with a light westerly. The sea-breeze looked as if it would make the trek up the bay from the Skyway, but after an hour or so, the fleet was towed in a second time.
The annual Jody Lutz Memorial Rum party on the dock was re-dedicated, to the late Jack Elfman, and many of the racers headed out to listen to the Wailers at Janus Landing and to the Blues Festival downtown. Hurrah!

Photos from Friday: (clockwise from upper left)
Jenga: A somewhat hazardous Giant Jenga moment inside the Sailing Center.
Texting: Juan Santos, passing the time a thoroughly modern manner.Onshore: the universal pose of sailors waiting for breeze.
Benched: Tito Gonzalez, Bill Mauk, Steve Davis, Brian Hayes on the bench waiting for wind in St. Pete






Saturday report (Mar. 21):
Three races today in St. Petersburg, starting with NE at around 12 fading down to 5-7 or so in leftover chop.
Marcus Eagan sailing with his dad Marc Eagan and Kippy Chamberlain from Bay-Waveland YC are sailing well in this first series with their new Lightning, although they broke a main halyard in Miami and have to keep at least one DNS for the Circuit. In St. Pete, the Eagans finished 3, 1, 4, today to lead Jody Lutz by 5 points. In keeping with the family tradition of the class, Lutz (2,2,9) is sailing with his brother Jay and Matthew Schon.

In third place, Jamie Allen of Canada, with Jay Deakin and Marq Littee, have a 5,8,2 series, Allan Terhune, who has a commanding lead in the Southern Circuit, finished 1, 10, 7 today.

The racing continues on Sunday, weather willing.






LintonLightning
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Mar 21, 2009, 7:56 PM

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At the Southern Circuit Awards dinner tonight (Saturday), Fisk Hayden was presented with the Karl Smither Award, which recognizes Corinthian spirit, mentoring, and commitment to the Lightning class. A third-generation Lightning sailor, Fisk is a past president, and long-time competitor who currently sails with his son and grandson, and has restored Lightning Hull #2. Congratulations Fisk!

Photos from Saturday night Southern Circuit banquet:
Crowd shot and a picture of Fisk Hayden receiving the Karl Smither award from Don Gregory. (Don on left, Fisk on right).






LintonLightning
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Mar 21, 2009, 8:24 PM

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Additional information:
58 boats registered for the St. Petersburg Winter Championship, including entries from Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Nigeria, US and Canada.

28 boats have made the entire Southern Circuit.

The Southern Circuit wraps up on Sunday, March 22.

The ILCA dock party crowd, St. Petersburg YC.







LintonLightning
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Mar 22, 2009, 4:18 PM

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First, the St. Petersburg Winter Championship results:
Of the 16 Masters teams (skipper 55+, with crew age totaling 120), Dick Hallagan of Central New York took top honors. He sailed with his usual crew of Rick TenEyck and Dan Pope. In second, Gary Hurban with Justin Coplan (ILCA Boat Grant Alumnus) and Mike Carney. Third was Jim Davis with Christine Davis and Les Lashaway. -- Results: http://www.lightningclass.org/...009/results12009.asp





LintonLightning
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Mar 22, 2009, 4:27 PM

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Newcomer (to the Lightning class anyhow) Marcus Eagan won the Winter Championship. He sailed a great series of 3,1,4, (7),3, with his dad Marc and Kip Chamberlain.

In second, David Starck, Jody Stark and Ned Roseberry with 7.3.(17),1,1 finishes. The Starcks also earned the Colin Park Memorial Award for the highest-placing married couple at the event.

In third, Allan Terhune, Katie Terhune and Sarah Merganthaler. Their finishes were 1,(10), 7,6,6.

Fourth was Jody Lutz with Jay Lutz and Matty Schon
Fifth was Tim Healy with Nicole Breault and Randy Shore.

Allan Terhune won the St Petersburg-Savannah trophy.

The Middle-of-Tampa-Bay award went to Larry Frost with Chance Miller and Hugh Grandstaff. Frost hails from Metairie, Louisiana.

Final results: http://www.lightningclass.org/racing/results/2009/winterChampionship-2009/results12009.asp


Photos: Team Eagan (left pic) and David and Jody Starck with Karen Park accepting the Colin Park Memorial.






LintonLightning
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Mar 22, 2009, 4:33 PM

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In the Southern Circuit Overall:
Allan Terhune finished first big, with nearly a 30-point lead after the three regattas. He took home 41 points from the 13-race (and one throw-out) series.

Jody Lutz took second with 71 points
Juan Santos of Ecudor took third with 77 points.
Tim Healy finished in fourth, with 101 points.
Marcus Eagan, keeping a DNS after a main halyard failure in Miami, finished in fifth place with 122.

The rest of the results will be posted on the ILCA website as soon as the Colorado team stops for gas, downloads, links, reads, uploads.


LintonLightning
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Mar 22, 2009, 4:43 PM

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The Southern Circuit 2009 included 27 boats including several teams comprised entirely of under-21s. Plenty of ILCA Boat-Grant alums were on hand, and 14-year-old Adam MacDonald and Alberto Gonzalez-Parro both sailed with their past-World-Champ dads.

The winner of the 2009 Davis Youth Trophy went to Will Tyner, who sailed with Nick Cumbie, Zach Shapiro, Tom Hinton, Marek Valasek across the circuit. Will finished 25th in St. Petersburg and 19th among the 27 Circuit teams. Well done!

Davis Youth Trophy winners Will Tyner (left) with local crew Zach Shapiro.






LintonLightning
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Mar 23, 2009, 6:23 PM

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Southern Circuit Wrap-Up


The 2009 Southern Circuit has ended for another year. Sailors are sitting down (gingerly) at their desks or still trying to catch up on their sleep, or trying to explain how the flu left them with big white raccoon circles on their red and peeling faces.

Despite the CES (Current Economic Situation), the Lightning class was well represented this spring, and there were a surprising number of young people sailing. There were a few all-youth boats, notably Joy MacDonald’s all-girl knot-tying champs, and Will Tyner’s “Rode Hard, Hung Up Wet” team. Alumna from the ILCA Boat Grant Program were plentiful, including Collin Kirby, Nick Farina, Bobby Martin, Will Brown and Justin Coplan. The après-sailing parties had a distinctively younger feeling this year, with lengthier late-night adventures and so forth.

The Lightning class frequently refers to itself as a family of sailors. Among the extended families sailing together or against one another included the Allens and Ruhlmans, the Tyners and the Starcks, the MacDonalds and Santos, Gonzalez and Lutz, Lange and Schwanz, Hubbard and Dieball, as well as countless married couples.

Racing conditions ranged from very light to brisk, with opportunities to plane (and to swim), as well as to rest quietly while the wind got ready to come up. Wildlife sightings on the water included dolphins, manatees, jelly-fish, loons, and schools of mullet.

It should be noted briefly that South Beach provided sightings of an entirely different order of wild life. These stories –– quite unrepeatable, but turning on the phrase “Topless?! Heck, they were bottom-less!” –– will no doubt become part of the Southern Circuit history. Au revoir until next year.


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