2021 Alligator Run Regatta

The Lake Waccamaw Sailing Club has launched a new Spring regatta for dinghies, catamarans, trimarans and some larger mono-hulls under 25 feet. However, you ask, “Where is Lake Waccamaw?”

The lake is in the middle of nowhere about 40 miles west of Wilmington, N.C. and near major roads with a fair amount of cypress swamp feeding into and out of the lake. Naming a regatta for alligators was a bit of a put off for some of the sailors. However, the club secretary assured us that they mostly hang out in adjacent canals and marshes. Fleet 15 had eight Wayfarers entered, joined by another 15 mono-hulls, mostly Buccaneers, and 20 multi-hulls.

The first of five scheduled races was delayed on the water as the promised sea breeze from the Atlantic failed to show up on time. Perhaps Poseidon should be copied on the NOR. Teasing zephyrs would creep up and cool us off and then finally there was enough wind to send the Wetas and Open Class Multi-hulls off followed by all the mono-hulls. After two times around the windward/leeward course, Jim and Linda Heffernan jibed around the last leeward mark just ahead of the USWA champs Jim Cook and Mike Taylor and then stayed ahead to the offset finish line, while fending off two cats that came in quickly from behind. Very tricky racing with such a variety of boats on the course.

We are always reminded to keep a sharp lookout at all times especially before the race when a 25-footer may be lurking about with the helmsman on the far side with vision blocked by a large Genoa jib. Thus, Phil Leonard and Ali Kishbaugh sailing their Mark IV found out that a big boat can do some major crunching even in light winds. Damage was above the waterline, but they cautiously returned to shore.

PRO moved up Sunday’s starting time to grab the early morning wind. Good decision since the light wind only gave us one race again. At the windward mark, the Cook/Taylor team had a slight lead over the Heffernans who were followed by the Peter Thorn/Jeanne Allenby team sailing Impulse II and new Wayfarer owner Neil Smith with daughter Adele sailing W449. Everyone kept their spinnakers stowed while urging their craft on with bits of wind causing the lead to change constantly. At the finish, the Smith team, coming from behind, prevailed followed by another woodie sailed by the Heffernans. Jim and Linda were happy to finish well, but then found out they were OCS and so Jim Cook and super crew Mike Taylor took overall honors followed by the high fiving father/daughter Smith team.

LWSC members were perfect hosts using golf carts for launching and retrieval of boats and providing line handlers on the dock to assist as needed. Fleet 15 plans to attend their Indian Summer Regatta in force to be held in late September or early October.