Light winds and fog fail to dampen spirits at Clark Lake's annual Fall Regatta

Close action in the Rebel fleet on Saturday as National Champion, Dave Nickels,
leads Mary Vorel who was this year's runner-up in the Nationals.

The 2008 Tim Dowling Memorial Regatta is in the books. The event was a classic example of how a bunch of sailors can have a glorious time, even when the weather fails to co-operate! While we were blessed with two lovely, warm days, there was little wind on Sept. 20-21. As a result, we only completed one race (above) on the Saturday, despite the best efforts of PRO, Bruce Nowak who even sent us out ("There's a breeze around the Point!") for an attempt - ill-fated, alas! - at a race after Saturday's supper. We sailors did our best, as did the photographers and the RC, but the winds refused to co-operate and I do believe that it is safe to say that when you see the pictures, you will agree: Never has such an ill-favoured race been so thoroughly covered. (Al's note: I've been waiting for decades to use the word ill-favoured, which the mother of my first girl-friend used to use as a euphemism for ugly.)

Sunday morning brought a nice little breeze but impenetrable fog (above, Dave Nickels photo) and the remaining races of our series ultimately had to be cancelled. Nonetheless, a great time was had by all, helped in no small way by free drinks, great food and wonderful live music on Saturday night.

one of the Wayfarer tables at Saturday supper

And it was a significant Clark Lake revival for Wayfarers as no fewer than five rookie Wayfarers used this fine weekend to get acquainted with other sailors and the world of racing. A warm Wayfarer welcome aboard to Mike Austerberry and family, John Hopson, Mark and Lori Murton, Gary and Stephanie Hirsch,  Robert Mosher and his CL skipper on this weekend, John Kolstoe.


Overall, we had just under 40 boats participate: 14 Rebels, 12 Interlakes, 7 Sunfish and 5 Wayfarers. In Wayfarers, Joe DeBrincat of Walled Lake, MI, once again sailed to victory with Clark Lake's Brian Johnson, but had all he could handle as our new team from St. Joseph (across from Chicago on Lake Michigan), Gary Hirsch and his wife, Stephanie, challenged Joe and Brian all the way in this, their first Wayfarer race ever. Third place went to veteran, Mike Anspach, who sailed with our new Wayfarer owner in Cadillac, MI, Mark Murton. Another new Michigan Wayfarer, Mike Austerberry brought the whole family, as did his crew, Todd Pascoe. They took 4th place ahead of the first CL16 ever to sail the Fall Regatta, sailed by John Kolstoe and new Wayfarer, Robert Mosher. The latter were unable to stay for the Sunday and missed out on the tail-enders' award of a Yachtwurst which went instead to Mike.


In the Rebel fleet, Dave Nickels (R4176) who has won the last four Rebel Nationals, teamed up with the lovely Shannon Shanks. As in the final race of the Nationals, Dave seemed doomed but mounted an incredible come-back that saw him edge out (above) Uncle Al of Oakville, ON, who was sailing with Buccaneer star, Larry Schmida, in R4180, borrowed from Dan Hockenberry who was recovering from his 10th knee surgery. Rounding out the top three among the Rebels was Chicago's young Jim Quiniff with Mike Desjardins who made a sparkling sailing debut here.


Rumour has it that a huge come-back was also made in the Interlake fleet where Scott and Lynn Savage (above) beat out Andy Nixon with Kirsten Petro and Bob Bradley with his wife, Betsy.


No come-backs against Dan Norton (above) who got out in front of the Sunfish and stayed there - no easy feat at Clark Lake! Placing second and third among the 7 Sunfish were Jim Towler and Rob Stephenson.

Let's hear it for the volunteers!!

As always, the members of the Clark Lake outdid themselves in making sure that we sailors had a magnificent weekend to remember. When I arrived at 4 PM on the Friday afternoon, Cheryl Hockenberry and her team were already busy preparing things in the kitchen that became our delicious food and drinks over the next two days. Modest as they are, it was hard to drag them away from their duties to take a brief bow at Sunday's awards ceremony (below).


Mike Smith was once more an enthusiastic and capable Regatta Chairman who once again made sure that we had lovely regatta T-shirts to help bring our warm memories of a great event back to life. Mike also arranged for the live music that made our Saturday so night special. Except for the weather, everything ran exactly as anyone could wish! Thanks, Mike, to you and your helpers.

Principal Race Officer, Bruce Nowak, as mentioned earlier, did his very best, only to be stymied by the weather. Thanks to Bruce and his teams aboard the "raft" and on the mark laying boats. There was the registration team, and the list goes on. Thanks to all of you!!

When I was sailing a Fireball in the early 70's, a friend of mine came back from the Worlds in the Lebanon where the crown prince of Siam (Thailand?) was a competitor. His crew was a lieutenant in their navy and each morning would be standing up to his knees in the water, holding the rigged boat as the limo carrying his helm arrived. The prince would step out of the limo, into the boat and off they would go. I have always dreamed of getting that kind of service when I sail. And this regatta came close as my crew, Larry Schmida, his wife, Patti, not to mention R4180 owner, Dan Hockenberry and his sons, Andrew and Stephen, hardly let me do anything. Ah, this is a life to which I could happily become accustomed. Thanks to all of you!!

Last but certainly not least, the old dog learned a new trick: this year I brought my laptop and left the regatta with tons of great pictures, copied from the camera cards of Sharon Nowak, Mike Sharkey, Sandra Smith and her mom, Gary Hirsch, John Hopson, Robert Mosher and even Dave Nickels was snapping away. How lovely it is to have all that great memory material to choose from without waiting for mailed CD's, etc.! Mille fois merci, as they say en français!!

See you all next year, same time, more wind - and more fellow sailors. To paraphrase the Interlake twins, Tim and Tom Marriott, who have been coming to this historic regatta since 1963, Clark Lake never changes. It is our annual trip back to the good old days! Why not join us next year!?