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CR-914
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
OCTOBER 13th & 14th

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Regatta Report

The CR-914 National Championships hosted by the Dry Pants Model Yacht Club on October 13 – 14, at Plattwood Pond in Deep River, Connecticut, drew a fair number of interested spectators who mixed in with the crowd of sailors, Race Committee and other volunteers. The camaraderie that sailing in the CR-914 class engenders is remarkable. From the Larchmont Spring Regatta, to Regional events across the country and the National Championship Regattas on either coast, this group of model sailing enthusiasts always greets one another as though they are long lost friends. This year’s Championship Regatta was attended by many of the East Coast regulars. There was a large Connecticut contingent, along with some of the usual suspects from Marblehead, Annapolis and Larchmont. From the west, the San Diego Model Yacht Club arrived in force along with our stalwart class secretary Dick Martin, who drove out from Missouri and Texan Charles Porth who “stopped in” for the weekend on his way out to Cape Cod. The Cagwin clan, father Lee and sons Todd and Tyler, down from Syracuse and up from Maryland, made the trip from out of town as well. Larry Adams won the coveted Bottle of Goslings Rum Trophy for being the furthest traveled as his address is the westernmost of the five San Diegans who participated. Stories told on arrival by many of those traveling a long distance to the Regatta hinted that “getting there” was far less than half the fun. Speaking for the locals, we hope you all had fair winds and light traffic on the homeward trip.

After Friday mornings’ front passed through (yours truly, deftly timing the tent pitching operation during the accompanying downpour and ferocious wind shift to the Northwest), we were blessed with a weekend of spectacular weather, albeit winds which were a bit fickle. The Race Committee headed by Dry Pants Model Yacht Club Commodore and RD Stan Horan had their hands full trying to stay a step ahead of the shifting breeze. The Race Committee’s efforts at “keeping it real” were greatly appreciated by the competitors. On cue, as had been predicted by Dick Martin, the locals were all heard to say at one point or another, “The wind never blows from this direction”.

The Regatta was sailed using the Heat Management System with three fleets; Red at the top, then White and Blue fleets, respectively. These systems kept the action moving, ensuring that the sailors usually competed with others of similar skill, but were also given the opportunity, with proficient sailing, to rise up in the ranks, and ultimately mix it up with the Big Dogs in Red fleet. Sailing in challenging wind conditions all weekend, most sailors had some ups and downs as far as fleet standings were concerned but the general mood and level of excitement was ramped up the from beginning to the end of the regatta.

Here are some memorable moments from a great weekend:

Friday night, over at Luscomb’s Barn, while our host and Regatta Chairman, Chuck Luscomb was slaving over a hot grill, Dry Pants Model Yacht Club newcomer Jim Godsman had asked Dave Ramos for some tuning help on the Red Boat with a Lion on its sail. Forty-five minutes later, Chuck was still cooking and Dave was still working on the red boat. Jim seemed a little embarrassed when he turned to me and said “I only asked for ten minutes!” I shook my head and explained, “That’s what you get for “ten minutes” with Dave Ramos. And when he’s done he’ll pause for a bite out of one of Chuck’s juicy burgers and then he’ll ask, ’Who’s next?’” The entire CR-914 class is grateful for Dave’s untiring efforts toward furthering our class’ development.

At the start of the regatta, Chuck Poindexter of the local DPMYC fleet had a mainsheet failure in the first of two seeding races. Hurriedly patching his boat together with the help of (guess who?) Dave Ramos, he then relaunched in blue fleet well after the starting gun had fired. Chuck still managed to delegate up to the white fleet and then again, on to red, finishing the first of the scoring races with a second place. Chuck doesn't fold under pressure. A sixth place for the Regatta put him just one place ahead of brother-in-law, and Dry Pants rival, Brian Jobson. Tell me they won’t bring that one up at Thanksgiving dinner.

On Saturday night at the Ivory Restaurant, SDMYC sailor Gene Malthaner presented a replica of the America’s Cup as the Perpetual Trophy for the Winner of the CR914 National Championship. Present, were past winners Chuck Luscomb (’06) and Dave Ramos (’99) who were honored along with all the other past winners since 1995, their names engraved in brass on the trophy’s base.

On Sunday, the entire fleet let out a cheer when Stuart Tubbs’ crossed the finish line in race 10, pulling a horizon job on the red fleet with his own familiar Marblehead nemesis, Biff Martin trying his able best to close the gap. Stuart did a fine job of moving up through the fleet, from twelfth place on Saturday to an eighth place trophy finish on Sunday.

In one race, all of the shore side observers let out a collective “whoaa” when the “Bad Apple” green boat sailed by Kevin MacLellan lost a solid lead by missing the top mark. A few races later, after breaking away for a huge lead, the fleet cheered Kevin on to the finish, applauding a race well sailed.

Dave Ryan of SDMYC who finished Saturday’s racing in eighth place and was rumored to have sailed one of his lower finishing races with an open hatch, had a tight ship on Sunday heating things up and sailing his way into second place for the Regatta.

Al Dion quietly took away fourth place losing a tiebreak with Chuck Luscomb. A seasoned model sailor, but a newcomer to the CR-914 class, Al brings experience and calm to the group of front running sailors. With an uncanny ability at staying out of trouble while taking consistent top finishes, he makes the competition ask, “Who is that guy?”

Dave Ramos captured his second Nationals win, upending last year’s National Champion, Chuck Luscomb, who finished in third place. Apparently, Dave had had his fill of second place finishes since 1999. A bridesmaid no more, let the wedding bells toll…

At the awards presentation while collecting his trophy with a straight face, Biff Martin was encouraged by all to smile for the photo. With an unchanged expression he replied, “I am”. Biff is pretty laid back until you meet him out on the race course where he is relentless. Having earned first place honors at the DPMYC Spring Regatta, Biff used his previous Plattwood experience as well as an intimacy with the famously fluky winds of Marblehead’s Redd’s Pond to help garner a fifth place finish at the Nationals.

This writer was especially grateful to those who spontaneously jumped in to help break down the "facilities" at the Regatta’s end. I had imagined a long afternoon of additional work for a weary few from the hosting DPMYC. (Who says model sailing isn't exhausting?) The many hands making light work was not at all planned but greatly appreciated.

Mark Benedict
#1084 DPMYC

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