| the 2018 Virginia
Governor's Cup Regatta Ware River YC, Ware Neck, VA * August 4-5 report by Jim Heffernan |
|
Jim and Linda
Heffernan Grab Wayfarer Victory in Shortened 2018
Virginia Governor's Cup Regatta
As one meanders
down the back roads leading to the end of Ware Neck,
one is reminded of NBC weatherman, Al Roker and his
signature expression "and now, what's happening in
your neck of the woods". Well, not much is happening
on Ware Neck except for the very active sailing
program at the Ware River YC.
 the Wayfarers from l to r: Jeannie Allamby, Michele Parish, Linda Heffernan, Kathy and Phil Leonard, Nancy Collins, Uwe Heine, Richard Johnson, Gareth Ferguson, Evan Trudeau, AnnMarie Covington, Gail Walters, Ken Butler, Ali Kishbaugh - larger image here Every year the
Ware River Yacht Club hosts the (Virginia) Governor's
Cup attracting 55-60 boats, a fleet that included
seven Wayfarers (above) in 2018. Located very
close to Chesapeake Bay the Ware River is affected by
some tidal flow and also a very fortuitous sea breeze.
On Saturday, the breeze stayed out in the big water limiting the Wayfarers to two races and on Sunday it did finally come in and we completed a third race. At the end of day one, Jim and Linda in W2458 had a solid hold on 1st in spite of a major blunder at the windward mark. Instead of following behind the leaders, Uwe and Nancy in W10978, Jim decided that there was an offset mark which turned out to be the tomato for the upwind finish line. Ugh! With a little downwind help from a lovely shaft of air however, the Heffernans recovered to 2nd just a few feet ahead of Richard and Michele in Black Skimmer.  With six fleets starting, it did get a bit dicey watching for the boats coming downwind or upwind as the windward-leeward races went on. Sunday racing was delayed until the promised (local knowledge?) sea breeze started to show from the Chesapeake. It came in fitfully and when the Wayfarers started as the second fleet, the light breeze was heavily favoring the committee boat end. AnnMarie and Gareth moved along well in the light air, holding off a strong challenge from fellow Fleet 15 members to take line honors and an overall second place on a tie-breaker with Uwe and Nancy that went down to who beat whom in the last race. Falling just one point of finishing "in the money" were Richard and Michele from the Blackbeard SC. With the Wayfarers anchored in the shallow water in front of the clubhouse (above) it was a short and easy wade to our boats to get underway, unless you had had recent surgery on a foot and couldn't get it wet or pinched by a crab. Solution! Gail Walters caught a shuttle out to Ken Butler's boat from one of the many Optimist Pram sailors also launching from the beach. Young sailors can be very helpful! Fleet 15 will return to this unique venue where camping under the stars and the beautiful waters flowing into the Chesapeake offset the battle with hungry mosquitoes. |
| W |
Helm/Crew |
#1 |
#2 |
#3 |
Points |
Place |
| 2458 | Jim and Linda Heffernan | 2 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
| 11134 |
AnnMarie Covington/Gareth Ferguson | 4 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
2 |
| 10978 | Uwe Heine/Nancy Collins | 1 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
3 |
| 10873 |
Richard Johnson/Michele Parish | 3 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
4 |
| 864 | Phil and Kathy Leonard | 5 |
6 |
5 |
16 |
5 |
| 449 | Ken Butler/Gail Walters | 6 |
7 |
6 |
19 |
6 |
| 10945 | Evan Trudeau/Jeanne Allamby | 7 |
5 |
DNF |
20 |
7 |
.