Rater Region 5 Championship Regatta

by Mark Gee

Photo's by Tim Sheffield, 10/05/03

On October 4th and 5th 2003, the Denver Area M.Y.A. hosted their second Ten Rater Region 5 Championship regatta.  Fourteen skippers representing five different states competed in ten races. 

The fleet of 10R's awaits the next start, hoping for more wind.

The fleet of 14 consisted of 8 different designs from 6 designers.  Hull lengths and displacements ranged from 50" to 71" and 9 lbs to 15 lbs.  Weather during the entire weekend was pleasant with temperatures in the 70's, clear skies, light wind speeds, and a beautiful array of fall colors on the trees in the park.

10R owners set up their boats and do some fine tuning before the skippers meeting.

The weekend unofficially began on Friday the 3rd with a full afternoon of practice sailing by nearly the entire fleet of boats.  Since several of the boats participating had been completed just weeks prior to the regatta, every bit of extra tuning and match racing was appreciated.  Individual boat measuring and certification had been accomplished during the preceding week as well.  The regatta officially began Saturday afternoon with check-in and lots of last minute tweaking to the boats.  Mark Gee served as race director and kicked off the regatta with a short welcome speech, introductions, and a review of the sailing instructions.  The race committee, headed by Michael Kopp and David Davis, took over to finish the skippers meeting with the last of the pre-race briefing.  One practice start was provided, giving skippers a chance to adjust to the crowded start line.  Out of character for afternoon sailing in Denver, wind speeds diminished to near drifter conditions, with only a few lucky boats able to latch on to the occasional zephyr.  A shortened racecourse was required on the last race just to keep the elapsed race time within reason and prevent mutiny from all the skippers.  Four races were slowly completed by five-thirty, followed by a pond-side BBQ provided by the Denver club.

In light conditions, the 10R fleet paces the start line. Which end is favored?
Maintaining boat speed became more important.

Activities resumed Sunday morning with breakfast served pond-side, accompanied by high hopes for stronger sailing conditions.  The day began with clear skies and temperatures near 60 degrees.  Due to the painfully light conditions the day before, morning racing was postponed briefly to wait on better wind.  As temperatures warmed into the 70's, wind speeds hovered around the usual 2-5 knots found on this pond.  Another day of tight racing was very likely with the upper fourth of the fleet resuming racing within 10 points of each other.  By noon, only three races had been completed, with winds fueled mainly from passing thermals.  A one-hour break followed with lunch provided to all participants.  Having completed seven races, race officials felt relieved to have at least met the minimum number of races required in the event.  Racing resumed shortly after one with the prevailing winds showing some signs of improvement.  Afternoon boat performance improved with some stronger winds, and skippers were at a jog at times to keep up with their boats.  Only three more races were run after lunch before the Race Committee opted to discontinue racing and conclude the regatta.  Racing was completed by two-thirty, followed shortly after by the race results and trophy presentation.  Following the standard set last year, custom designed stained glass trophies were presented for places 1-4.  Final standings are listed below, and congratulations went to Mark Gee of Denver, CO for a well-fought victory in this regatta.

The fleet works their way upwind after a crowded start sequence.

Throughout the entire weekend, racing remained tight with impressive boat handling demonstrated by all the skippers.  The entire fleet of fourteen started every race, and only two boats suffered from brief mechanical problems.  Race leaders seldom ran away from the fleet and finish places were constantly changing right up to the end of each race.

Tony Bruszewski sets up his new 10R with a lot of other activity going on in the staging area.

 Of the eight 10 Rater designs represented, each one had its shining moment and no particular design completely dominated the racecourse.  The keys to success in this regatta were: consistent finish scores and maintaining every bit of boat speed possible.  On behalf of the Ten Rater fleet, I would like to thank all of those involved with the planning, organization, and assistance of a very successful and well-run Ten Rater event.